Ecuador will face Argentina in the quarter-finals of the Copa America after securing qualification on Sunday, June 30, with a 0-0 draw against Mexico, who were eliminated, on the third and final day of Group B.
After an opening victory against Jamaica (1-0) and then a defeat against Venezuela (1-0), the North American team knew the rules of the game: it absolutely had to win against Ecuador in Glendale (Arizona) to finish second behind Venezuela. Jaime Lozano’s players, in a crying lack of offensive efficiency, however failed to deceive the Ecuadorian goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez, despite a one-sided end to the match.
“It is obvious that we will have to do better…”
After the hour mark, Feyenoord Rotterdam center forward Santiago Gimenez found an upright (65′) before defender Johan Vasquez came up against Dominguez (71′). In added time, the many supporters of the “Tri” even exulted for a while when the Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar whistled a penalty, before being called by the VAR and logically changing his mind.
At a press conference, coach Lozano has already turned towards the major deadline for Mexico: the 2026 World Cup, which he will co-organize with the United States and Canada. “It is obvious that we will have to do better, but we have two years to improve… I have seen a lot of things that allow me to believe that this team is capable of competing with any selection,” he commented.
Thanks to this draw, which qualifies on goal difference (4 pts), Ecuador has earned the right to challenge Argentina, Thursday in Houston, for a place in the last four. Large winner on Sunday of Jamaica (3-0), and first in group B with nine points, Venezuela will face Canada in the quarter-finals on Friday in Arlington (Texas).
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Author of six goals in three group matches, Venezuela will be able to rely in particular on its striker Salomon Rondon, 34, who is playing his fifth Copa America. Having scored the 2-0 goal on Sunday, the latter is now Venezuela’s co-top scorer in the history of the event, with six goals in total.
