LOS ANGELES: Venezuela booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Wednesday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mexico that ensured Jamaica´s elimination from the tournament.
Mexico-based veteran striker Salomon Rondon stroked in the only goal from the penalty spot to seal all three points for Venezuela, who are top of Group B with six points from two games. Mexico, meanwhile, can still qualify for the knockout rounds with a victory over Ecuador in their final group game on Sunday.
But the Mexicans will be left kicking themselves at their failure to take at least a point from Wednesday´s clash with Venezuela at a packed SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Mexico´s Orbelin Pineda missed an 87th-minute spot kick that would have made it 1-1, his effort parried away by Venezuela goalkeeper Rafael Romo.
Earlier, Rondon had fired Venezuela into the lead in the 57th minute from the penalty spot after Mexico´s Julian Quinones brought down Venezuela´s Jon Aramburu with a clumsy challenge in the area.
Venezuela´s win confirmed Jamaica´s exit from the tournament following their 3-1 loss to Ecuador in Las Vegas earlier on Wednesday. Ecuador, beaten by Venezuela in their opening match on Saturday, held off a spirited second-half rally by the Reggae Boyz to claim a vital three points at the Allegiant Stadium.
The South Americans looked to be cruising to victory after taking a 2-0 lead following a Kasey Palmer own goal and a penalty from Chelsea-bound teenager Kendry Paez. However, Jamaica pulled a goal back from veteran striker Michail Antonio early in the second half, and then had strong claims for a penalty rejected 15 minutes before full-time.
Ecuador, however, made the game safe in stoppage time with a breakaway goal from Alan Minda as Jamaica pressed forward for an equaliser. Ecuador opened the scoring with a freakish own goal in the 13th minute, Pierre Hincapie´s cross from the left taking a wicked deflection off Palmer and looping into the Jamaica net.
Ecuador doubled their lead from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time. Defender Greg Leigh instinctively blocked a header with his upper arm and after a lengthy VAR review, Chilean referee Cristian Garay pointed to the spot.
The 17-year-old Paez -- who will join Premier League giants Chelsea in July 2025 when he turns 18 -- stepped up to calmly stroke the spot-kick into the bottom corner. A rejuvenated Jamaica pulled one back early in the second half with Antonio jabbing home a low shot on 54 minutes after Ecuador failed to clear a corner.