Ecuador faced Venezuela this Saturday and was defeated 2-1, in the first round of Group B of the Copa América. The Ecuadorians’ goal was scored by Jeremy Sarmiento. Cádiz and Bello did it for the Venezuelans. The match was played at Levi’s Stadium, in Santa Clara, in the United States. Enner Valencia, an Internacional player, was sent off in the first half.
Game of twists in California 💯 pic.twitter.com/QTycWTaNCE
— CONMEBOL Copa América™ POR 🇧🇷 (@copaamerica_POR) June 23, 2024
With the victory, Venezuela provisionally took the lead in the group, with three points and a goal difference. Ecuador is at the bottom of the group without any points won. At 10pm, the duel between Mexico and Jamaica, valid for the same bracket, could change the classification.
Ecuador’s next game in the competition is this Wednesday against Jamaica, at 7pm (Brasília time), in Las Vegas. Venezuela will play against Mexico on the same day, at 10pm, in Los Angeles.
Enner Valencia sent off in the first half
Ecuador started the match better. In the 11th minute, striker Yeboah finished dangerously and scared goalkeeper Rafael Romo. At 18, the Ecuadorians arrived once again. After a cross in the area, Mena arrived free to finish and stopped at Romo. When trying to finish off the rebound, Enner Valencia hit Venezuelan defender Herrera in the face with the sole of his boot and was cautioned with a yellow card.
After a VAR review, referee Wilmar Roldan considered that the Internacional player put the opponent’s integrity at risk and the attacker was sent off.
Even with one less, Ecuador opened the scoring. At 40, Sarmiento took advantage of a rebound from the defense after a free kick and hit low to score.
Venezuela’s comeback in the second stage
With one more player, Venezuela went on the attack. At 17, after a free kick, the ball was “alive” in the area and Venezuelan striker Cádiz “scooped” the shot. Two minutes later, Cádiz redeemed himself. After a quick throw-in, Rondón passed the ball to Cádiz, who finished and hit goalkeeper Domínguez low in the left corner. It was Venezuela’s draw.
At 29 minutes the turning point came. After Rondón’s header was saved by Domínguez, Bello took advantage of the rebound and turned the ball towards Venezuela.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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