LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Reuters) – Ecuador kept their hopes of qualifying for the Copa America quarter-finals alive with a 3-1 win over Jamaica in Las Vegas on Wednesday that left the ‘Reggae Boyz’ on the brink of elimination.
Ecuador went ahead in the 13th minute via a Jamaica own goal, when Piero Hincapie’s cross from the left was deflected off Kasey Palmer’s shin into the net.
The South Americans doubled the lead via a Kendry Paez penalty kick just before the interval after a handball by Gregory Leigh, before Alan Minda killed off the contest in the 91st minute with a goal from a classic counter-attack.
Jamaica halved the deficit shortly after halftime, scoring their first-ever Copa America goal following a corner. Ethan Pinnock’s effort was blocked by the Ecuador defence but the rebound fell to Michail Antonio, who rifled the ball into the net.
They thought they had earned a penalty themselves in the 73rd minute when referee Cristian Garay was sent to the monitor to check for a possible handball by Alan Franco, but the referee decided not to award a spot kick.
Victory gave Ecuador, who were beaten by Venezuela in their Group B opener, their first points of the tournament, moving them level on three each with Mexico and Venezuela.
Jamaica lost their opener to Mexico and must now win their final group game against Venezuela to have any hope of advancing. They will be knocked out irrespective of that result if Mexico and Venezuela draw when they play later on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru: Editing by Neil Fullick)
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