After a promising start in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, the Argentine’s ‘Vinotinto’ Fernando Batista They made their debut in the continental competition to which they arrived with great enthusiasm due to the constant growth of the team decades ago and they aspire to be able to play the six possible games in the tournament.
In front was the Ecuadorian team that, in the midst of a generational change, also had a promising start in the qualifiers for the next World Cup after what was a worthy performance in the last intercontinental competition in Qatar 2022.
In an even match and with the team of Spanish Félix Sánchez Bas with one less due to the expulsion of Enner Valencia, Ecuador was the one who started winning with Jeremy Sarmiento’s goal at 40 of the first half. In a right free kick a few steps from the center circle, Kendry Páez put a great cross to the far post where the Venezuelan defense cleared it short and it was served to Sarmiento, who placed the ball against goalkeeper Romo’s right post.
Already in the second half, the changes responded favorably to Batista and the Venezuelan team reached the tie with Jhonder Cádiz’s goal at 19 minutes. On the right of the Ecuadorian field, Eduard Bello quickly played the side for Salomón Rondón who, at the near post, bounced the ball for the lone entry of the Caracas striker who, first, placed it close to the right post.
Ten minutes later, Venezuela managed to turn the result around with a goal from Bello, the one entered in the second half by Cristián Casseres Jr. From the right vertex of the Ecuadorian area, Alexander González put a good cross into the penalty spot for Rondón who headed low and to the near post where goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez prevented him from scoring but left the rebound short and Bello, after anticipating his mark, scored it over the former Vélez, marking the 2-1.
With this result, Venezuela added its fourth victory in the twenty debuts in the Copa América and is positioned in a good way in Group B. For the second date, it will face Mexico on Wednesday in California but at the SoFi stadium.
For its part, Ecuador is still unable to break the spell of its beginnings in the Copa América and has recorded its ninth defeat since the 1993 edition in which, as host, it beat Venezuela 6-1. Now, they will clash against Jamaica on Wednesday in Nevada.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
