MADRID, 23 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Venezuelan team came back (1-2) against Ecuador this Saturday and Mexico beat Jamaica (1-0) to start both the Copa América with three points, within Group B.
The ‘Vinotinto’ turned the score around at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara (California, United States) with two goals in the second half. Ecuador had started in command despite the fact that after 20 minutes they were left without Enner Valencia, who saw red in the middle of the ‘Tricolor’ occasion for a dangerous tackle.
From a possible 1-0, the Ecuadorian team was left without its captain and offensive figure, but still managed to take the lead in the 40th minute through Sarmiento. The changes and the passing of the minutes suited a Venezuela that had already gone to halftime with the intention of seeking an equalizer.
Ecuador almost scored the second on the counterattack, but the ‘Vinotinto’ found the comeback in ten minutes of success. The goals from Cádiz and Bello, who entered the field as substitutions, marked the victory of a Venezuela that took a surprising lead in Group B, just like Mexico in the other match of the day.
A goal by Gerardo Arteaga in the 69th minute earned the Mexican victory over a Jamaica that went ahead at the start of the second half, but the VAR annulled Michail Antonio’s goal at the NRG Stadium in Houston. From there came Mexico’s best moment, without aim against a successful Jahmali Waite between the sticks.
Jaime Lozano’s men needed that scare to start generating a weak debut even more chilled by the injury after half an hour of their captain Edson Álvarez. In the end, Mexico found the goal to overcome the a priori weakest rival in the group and get off to a good start in a Copa América where they want to be among the best again after a poor recent history.