Action in Copa America 2024 continued in Group B with Mexico clashing with Jamaica while Ecuador traded tackles with Venezuela. FUTBALLNEWS brings you all the actions on the America-wide soccer competition as it happens.
Ecuador 1-2 Venezuela [Highlights]
10-man Ecuador collapsed to a shock defeat against Venezuela in Copa America 2024 Group B clash at the Levi’s Stadium.
With a considerably stronger squad, simmering with top-rated footballers than their Venezuelan counterparts, Ecuador were expected to ace this fixture with ease but it ended in a deadlock.
The Tricolors started the game on the front foot, dominating proceedings and were looking set to cruise to victory but were dealt a blow in the 22nd minute when their forward Valencia saw a red card for a rough challenge. The 34-year-old Internacional forward was originally shown a yellow card but after the challenge was reviewed on the pitchside monitor, the yellow card was shelved for red.
18 minutes after being reduced to 10 men, the Ecuadorians defied the numerical disadvantage to draw the first blood. 22-year-old Brighton midfielder Sarmiento fired The Tricolors into the lead. And the goal was enough to send the side into the lead at the break.
Venezuela would respond in the second half through an equalizer from 28-year-old Famalicao forward Jhonder Cadiz.
10 minutes after Cadiz’s strike, Liga MX midfielder, Eduard Bello, completed the comeback for the Venzuelans, scoring a stunner to make it 2-1. Bello’s goal ensured Venezuela grabbed an unlikely victory against the Ecuadorians to open their Copa America 2024 campaign on a winning note.
The Wine-Red will hope to maintain their winning start when they take on Mexico in their second match in the group on Thursday, June 27.
Mexico 1-0 Jamaica [Highlights]
A 69th-minute goal was all Mexico needed to get off the mark in their Copa America 2024 opener against Jamaica. The Mexicans dominated the game from the start but could not find the back of the net in the second half. However, the deadlock was broken in the second half when 25-year-old Monterrey defender Gerardo Arteaga scored for the CONCACAF giants nine minutes after the hour-mark. The goal saw the El Tri secure all three points against the Reggae Boyz.
Copa America 2024 Group B standings
After the first round of matches in the group, Mexico and Venezuela have emerged as joint-group leaders after winning their respective openers. They are stuck on the same number of points as well as goal difference.
Meanwhile, Ecuador and Jamaica are down at the 3rd and bottom of the standings, respectively, after their opening defeats. The two teams will clash in the next round of Group B matches on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
Who is like to qualify from Copa America 2024 Group B?
Venezuela and Mexico are now leading the race for a place in the knockout of the tournament following their opening victories. Ecuador and Venezuela are down the ladder. However, each team’s chances in the group is unclear until the next round of matches. Nevertheless, Mexico and Ecuador are tipped as favourites to progress from the group.
Other Copa America 2024 fixtures
Action will continue today in the tournament with the USA battling Bolivia in another blockbuster Group C opener while Uruguay will take on Panama.
