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-ULe4BMAzHy.jpg "Ecuador boosted their chances of reaching the knockout rounds")
Ecuador boosted their chances of reaching the knockout rounds of the Copa America on Wednesday after hanging on to beat Jamaica 3-1 in their Group B clash in Las Vegas.
After holding on to defeat Jamaica 3-1 in their Group B match in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Ecuador increased their prospects of moving on to the Copa America knockout stages.
After losing to Venezuela in their opening game of the competition on Saturday, Ecuador managed to hold off a fierce comeback by the Reggae Boyz in the second half and secure crucial three points at Allegiant Stadium.
After a penalty kick by Chelsea-bound teenager Kendry Paez and an own goal by Kasey Palmer, the South Americans appeared to be coasting to victory.
But early in the second half, veteran attacker Michail Antonio gave Jamaica a goal back. And fifteen minutes before the end of regulation, strong penalty requests were turned down.
But Ecuador made the match safe in stoppage time with a breakaway goal from Alan Minda as Jamaica pressed forward for an equaliser.
The defeat leaves Jamaica bottom of Group B with no points after two games.
The Jamaicans could be eliminated later on Thursday depending on the result of Venezuela’s clash with Mexico.
Earlier, 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 stepped up to coolly stroke the spot-kick into the bottom corner. Paez will turn 18 in July 2025 and join Premier League powerhouse Chelsea.
After Ecuador failed to clear a corner, Antonio blasted home a low shot on minute 54 to give a revitalized Jamaica the lead early in the second half.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Jamaica believed they had been handed a lifeline when Ecuador's Alan Franco seemed to handle inside the area, resulting in a VAR penalty check.
Referee Garay, however, declared there had been no handball and allowed play to continue despite being called to the monitor to examine the situation. Minda's late goal sealed Ecuador's victory.
