Eduard Bello and Salomon Rondon each scored goals early in the second half to help Venezuela record a 3-0 victory over Jamaica in Copa America Group B play on Sunday night in Austin, Texas.
Eric Ramirez added a late goal for Venezuela (3-0-0), which had previously qualified for the next round before finishing the pool-play sweep.
Venezuela will face Canada in the quarterfinals on Friday in Arlington, Texas. Venezuela outscored its Group B foes 6-1.
Jamaica (0-3-0) finished last in Group B and was outscored 7-1 during the tournament.
Rondon’s tally was his 43rd career international goal, extending his Venezuela record.
Bello’s goal came in the 49th minute and Rondon tacked on seven minutes later.
Jon Aramburu set up the first goal with a cross from the left side of the box toward the right goalpost. Bello jumped up to meet the ball and sent a one-hop header between Jahmali Waite and the post to put Venezuela ahead.
Rondon made it 2-0 with a solid individual effort. He got past two Jamaica defenders in the box and then used his left heel to slide the ball to the left of Waite and into the net.
Venezuela added on in the 85th minute when Kervin Andrade delivered a pass that led to Ramirez being in the clear. Ramirez sent a right-footed shot under Waite’s leg and into the net.
Venezuela had a 17-8 edge in shots and placed three on target to Jamaica’s one.
Jamaica’s best scoring chance came in the 21st minute but Renaldo Cephas’ diving header went over the net.
Rondon had an opportunity in the 38th minute but his left-footed shot was high and over the net.
Five minutes later, Darwin Machis sent a left-footed cross into the box and it kept traveling toward the far top corner of the net. Waite had to leap and knock the ball over the net to prevent a goal.
–Field Level Media
