Ecuador’s national football team reignited their Copa América aspirations with a commanding 3-1 win against Jamaica, marked by a contentious moment involving a VAR-reviewed penalty decision. The victory, which unfolded at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, saw Ecuador bounce back from an initial setback in the tournament.Ecuador took an early lead with a goal from Kasey Palmer in the 13th minute, which was followed by a penalty conversion by Kendry Páez and a late goal from Alan Minda. Jamaica’s Michail Antonio managed to score, marking Jamaica’s first goal in Copa América history, but their efforts fell short as Ecuador dominated the match. The controversy peaked when a potential penalty for Jamaica was denied after a VAR review, leaving the Jamaican team and fans in dismay.The result leaves Ecuador with a fighting chance to progress in the tournament, as they now share points with Mexico and Venezuela in Group B. Jamaica, however, faces an uphill battle, needing a win in their final group match against Venezuela to maintain any hope of advancing. The upcoming fixtures are poised to be fiercely competitive as the teams vie for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Key points
- Ecuador defeated Jamaica 3-1 in a crucial Copa América match, boosting their quarterfinal chances.
- The match was marked by a controversial VAR decision that denied Jamaica a penalty.
- Ecuador’s win sets up a tense group stage finale, with their next match against Mexico determining their advancement.
