Eduard Bello scored first in the 49th minute as Venezuela finished Group B play with a perfect record, defeating Jamaica 3-0 on Sunday night at Copa America.
Venezuela (3-0-0) played without coach Fernando Batista, who was suspended for one match by CONMEBOL because the team was late to the field in their win against Mexico.
By winning Group B, Venezuela avoided playing against tournament favorite and defending champion Argentina in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Instead, they will face Canada, the runner-up in Group A, on Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Bello connected with a cross from Jon Aramburu and scored with a header into the bottom right corner of the net from the right side of the 6-yard box. It was Bello’s second goal of the tournament, following his winning goal in the opener against Ecuador.
In the 56th minute, Salomón Rondón scored with a left-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Yangel Herrera. This was Rondón’s second goal as well, after scoring a penalty kick against Mexico.
Eric Ramírez added Venezuela’s third goal in the 85th minute, receiving a pass from Kervin Andrade and scoring with a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Goalkeeper Rafael Romo made one save for Venezuela, while Jamaica’s goalkeeper Jahmali Waite did not have any saves in the match.
