The Jamaican national football team continued its winless streak in the Copa America, suffering a 3-0 defeat against Venezuela in their final group stage match at Q2 Stadium in the United States on Sunday.
Venezuela topped Group B with a perfect record of three wins, while Jamaica finished at the bottom with no points.
In the other Group B match, Mexico and Ecuador played to a dramatic 0-0 draw, with both teams finishing on four points. Ecuador advanced with a plus-one goal difference, while Mexico, with a zero goal difference, ended third.
Reggae Boyz struggled throughout the tournament
Venezuela’s goals came from Eduard Bello in the 49th minute, Salomón Rondón in the 56th, and Eric Ramírez in the 85th. The Reggae Boyz struggled throughout the tournament, conceding seven goals and scoring only once in a 3-1 loss to Ecuador in their previous match. Their campaign opened with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Mexico, who also failed to advance from the group stage.
The match against Venezuela saw Bello’s goal come from a Jon Aramburu cross that was poorly defended by Jamaica. Bello’s close-range header was unstoppable as he found himself unmarked.
Just six minutes later, Rondón doubled Venezuela’s lead, breaking through on goal with a pass from Yangel Herrera and overcoming a strong challenge from Michael Hector to score from close range. Ramírez, who had been on the field for only three minutes, sealed the victory. Played onside by Damion Lowe, he calmly slotted home Venezuela’s third goal after receiving another through ball.
Venezuela will now face Canada in the quarter-finals, while Ecuador will compete against Argentina.
