Soccer-Venezuela seal top spot in Copa Group B with win over Jamaica (updated)

Copa Holdings

01/07/2024 03:39

(Adds details)
       AUSTIN, Texas, June 30 (Reuters) - Venezuela hammered
Jamaica 3-0 in Texas on Sunday to seal top spot in Group B and
set up a Copa America quarter-final with Canada.
    Goals from Eduard Bello and Salomon Rondon early in the
second half, followed by a late strike from Eric Ramirez,
ensured victory for the Venezuelan side.
    Venezuela had already booked their spot in the last eight
with wins over Ecuador and Mexico and needed just a point
against already-eliminated Jamaica to clinch top spot and avoid
defending champions Argentina in the next round.
    Jamaica's best opportunity came in the 21st minute but
Renaldo Cephas' diving header soared over.
        Bello's powerful downward header put the South Americans
in front in the 49th minute and Rondon doubled their lead seven
minutes later with a scuffed effort past Jamaica keeper Jahmali
Waite. 
    It was Rondon's 43rd international goal, extending his
record as Venezuela's highest scorer.
    Ramirez added Venezuela's third on the breakaway in the 85th
minute, sending a right-footed shot under the advancing Waite
after a well-timed pass from Kervin Andrade.
    Venezuela were joined in the last eight by Group B
runners-up Ecuador, who qualified thanks to their superior goal
difference after holding Mexico 0-0 in the other match, with
both teams tied on four points.
    

 (Reporting by Field Level Media, additional reporting by Simon
Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford
)
 ((simon.jennings@thomsonreuters.com;))