LAS VEGAS — 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 ultimately eliminated the 'Reggae Boyz.'
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.
Jamaica own goal vs Ecuador
OH MY GOODNESS
A GOAL FOR ECUADOR FROM AN IMPOSSIBLE ANGLE pic.twitter.com/VfLT8axPD9— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 26, 2024
WATCHING. THIS. ON. REPEAT.
HOW DID THIS GO IN!? pic.twitter.com/b5GPjs9F8y— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 26, 2024
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.
TWO FOR ECUADOR ✌️
Kendry Páez sends home the penalty pic.twitter.com/XXCEe1G2tv— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 26, 2024
THREE FOR ECUADOR
Alan Minda runs by everybody to make it 3-1 pic.twitter.com/35ziBjDLsf— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 26, 2024
Jamaica halved the deficit shortly after halftime, scoring their first-ever Copa America goal in their eighth match in the tournament following a corner.
Ethan Pinnock's effort was blocked by the Ecuador defense but the rebound fell to Michail Antonio, who rifled the ball into the net.
THE FIRST COPA AMÉRICA GOAL IN JAMAICA HISTORY
Michail Antonio will forever be in the history books pic.twitter.com/7UfNNKmYrF— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 26, 2024
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 with Mexico.
The top two teams from the group will progress to the quarter-finals.
Jamaica were knocked out after Venezuela defeated Mexico 1-0 later Wednesday night.
Jamaica play Venezuela in Austin, Texas and Mexico face Ecuador in Glendale, Arizona in the final round of Group B matches on Sunday.
(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Field Level Media; Editing by Neil Fullick and Michael Perry)
