Venezuela ease past Boyz at Copa America

AUSTIN, Texas (AP):

Eduard Bello opened the scoring in the 49th minute and Venezuela completed Group B play with a perfect record, beating Jamaica 3-0 on Sunday night in Copa America.

Venezuela played without coach Fernando Batista after he was handed a one-match suspension by CONMEBOL for his team's late arrival to the field in a victory over Mexico.

By winning Group B, Venezuela avoided a Thursday matchup in the quarter-finals against tournament favourites and defending champions Argentina. Instead, the Venezuelans will take on Group A runners-up Canada on Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Bello took a cross from Jon Aramburu and sent a header to the bottom right corner of the net from the right side of the six-yard box. It was the second goal of the tournament for Bello, who scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Ecuador in the opener.

In the 56th minute, Salomon Rondon used an assist from Yangel Herrera to send a left-footed kick from the centre of the box to the middle of the net. It was also the second goal for Rondon, who scored on a penalty kick in a 1-0 victory over Mexico in the team's second match.

Eric Ramirez completed the scoring when he took a through ball from Kervin Andrade in the 85th minute and drilled a right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

Venezuela's goalkeeper Rafael Romo stopped just one shot on goal from Jamaica. Venezuela had four shots on goal to Jamaica's one.

Jahmali Waite did not have a save in goal for Jamaica.

The South American country made a bit of history with the win. It marked the first time in history that they won all three games in a Copa America group stage. They had earlier registered win over Ecuador (2-1) and Mexico (1-0).