Ecuador beat Bolivia 3-1 in a friendly match played last night in Pennsylvania, United States, prior to the Copa América that begins on June 20 in the North American country.
The Ecuadorian team won thanks to scores from historic forward Enner Valencia, in the 17th minute, his recent addition John Yeboah, in the 24th, and Jordy Caicedo, in the 70th.
Miguel Terceros scored for Bolivia in ’88.
In the midst of preparation for the Copa América, The participation of nationalized players generated criticism among some members of the Ecuadorian team. In this sea of background, former Manchester United star Antonio Valencia reproached the fact that the Argentine-Ecuadorian goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez was named captain.
“It is not possible for a foreigner to be captain of our team. “That is more painful than defeat,” wrote “Toño” Valencia on his X account on Sunday after falling to world champion Argentina.
In that context, John Yeboah – born in Hamburg and of Ghanaian and Ecuadorian descent – silenced the criticism directed at foreigners by revealing his potential as a starter, after his call to the national team in November 2023 for the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
In United States-2024 Ecuador is part of Group B along with Mexico, Venezuela and Jamaica.
On the other side, Bolivia – which is part of Group C along with the host, Uruguay and Panama – went out to play the friendly without one of its great promises, 16-year-old winger Moisés Paniagua, who failed to complete his visa procedures on time. in the United States and, therefore, will miss the Copa América.
Ecuador marks its first victory in the friendlies prior to the Cup, after losing last Sunday against Argentina 1-0. Bolivia, on the other hand, has two defeats after losing against Mexico two weeks ago.
On Saturday, Bolivia will face Colombia in the last round of friendlies, while Ecuador will face Honduras on Sunday.
AFP.
Leave us your comments in Voice
Brazil and the United States tied 1-1 last night in Orlando (Florida) in a final rehearsal before the Copa América that starts next week in the North American country.
Brazilian Rodrygo opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Christian Pulisic equalized with a free kick in the 26th minute in front of 60,016 fans who practically filled the Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Vinicius Jr., who played the entire game, and the young Endrick enjoyed good opportunities in the final stretch to define a game whose great figure was the local goalkeeper, Matt Turner.
It is the first tie recorded in the 20 duels between the United States and Brazil, winner in 18 of them.
For ‘Team USA’, which had lost 11 in a row against the ‘Seleçao’ since 1998, the draw is a relief after the embarrassing 5-1 defeat received on Saturday against Colombia.
AFP.
Leave us your comments in Voice
Independiente celebrated its first victory in the Professional League by defeating Banfield 2-1, in one of the matches with which the fifth round began last night.
Santiago López (2), 18 years old, opened the account for the ‘Red Devils’ with a corner shot after eluding two defenders, but Milton Giménez (27) scored with a header to equalize the ‘Taladro’.
The visitor had the opportunity to turn the score around, but in the last action of the first half Rodrigo Rey, Independiente’s goalkeeper, saved a penalty from Giménez (45+3).
Banfield forgave, unlike an Independiente, who took the lead again when Paraguayan Gabriel Ávalos (52, penalty) scored from eleven meters.
It was the Edelira native’s second goal so far in the aforementioned contest.
After 2-1, Banfield was left with no arguments to seek a tie and was left with ten remaining due to the direct expulsion of Aarón Quirós (89) for a strong foul.
Interimly directed by Hugo Tocalli, 76 years old and in charge of the youth divisions, the ‘Red’ found relief before the break for the Copa América and the arrival of Julio Vaccari as the new coach, after the resignation of Carlos Tevez.
Also at night, Gimnasia joined the large group of leaders by beating Barracas Central 2-1.
In Mendoza, Godoy Cruz and Rosario Central tied 1-1, in a match that was played behind closed doors due to a sanction that weighs on the Mendoza club as a result of the incidents caused by violent fans in the match against San Lorenzo.
This Thursday Riestra-River, Sarmiento- Estudiantes, Tigre-Belgrano, Lanús-Racing and Newell’s-Instituto will face each other, while on Friday night Boca-Vélez and Talleres-Platense will meet, and the closing will be on Saturday, with Unión -San Lorenzo, Huracán-Independiente Rivadavia and Atlético Tucumán-Defensa y Justicia.
AFP.
