LAS VEGAS — Jamaica fell 3-1 to Ecuador in Group B of the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America on Wednesday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ecuador took the lead in the 14’ as Piero Hincapie attempted a cross near the left sideline.  The ball rebounded off Kasey Palmer and deflected into the net for one of the remarkable goals of the tournament.

Di'Shon Bernard had a header in the 19’ to force a save from Alexander Dominguez.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid had a look from outside the box in the 32’ but Dominguez was there with another save.

Kendry Paez converted from the penalty spot in the 45'+4 to extend the lead for Ecuador before halftime.

Michail Antonio scored Jamaica’s first goal in a Copa America in the 54’ with a strike from a short distance following a corner kick.

Shamar Nicholson had a look in the box in the 68’ following an interception in midfield by Kasey Palmer. Nicholson came close again in the 72’ with a header off the corner kick.

Alan Minda scored for Ecuador in the 90’+2 on a counterattack following a Jamaica corner.

Jamaica will retake the field on Sunday to take on Venezuela in Austin. The Reggae Boys will look to collect their first-ever Copa America victory.

FACTS

  • Jamaica has lost its last 8 matches in the CONMEBOL Copa América, their longest losing streak in the competition (since at least the 1993 season).
  • Michail Antonio has reached four goals with the Jamaican national team in his career. All of them have been in non-friendly matches, and this is the first one he scores against a team outside of Concacaf.
  • Ecuadorian Kendry Paéz became the youngest player at 17 years and 53 days to score a goal against a Concacaf team in the CONMEBOL Copa América, surpassing Sebastián Rozenthal of Chile against the United States in 1985, who was 18 years, 10 months, and 7 days old.
  • With Kasey Palmer's own goal, Jamaica tied with Mexico with two own goals each in the CONMEBOL Copa América.