Jamaica eyes first Copa America win against Venezuela

MIAMI – Jamaica meets Venezuela in the final matchday of Group B at the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America on Sunday at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

The Reggae Boyz earned their first goal in the tournament in the previous match as Michail Antonio struck from close range in the 3-1 defeat to Ecuador.

Goalkeeper Jahmali Waite has made nine saves in the first two matches. A clean sheet would mark a first for a Jamaican player in the tournament’s history.

Shamar Nicholson and Dexter Lembikisa lead the team with three shots on target. Nicholson scored three goals for Jamaica in World Cup Qualifying earlier this month and leads the team in that category.

Venezuela leads the group with two victories and is looking to clinch the top spot in the group with a win or draw. Jhonder Cadiz and Eduard Bello scored in the team’s 2-1 victory over Ecuador in the opening match.

Salomon Rondon scored the match-winning goal in Venezuela’s 1-0 win over Mexico. Rondon recently helped CF Pachuca to the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup title, earning the Golden Ball and Top Scorer awards in the process.

Unable to advance to the knockout round, Jamaica will look to close its campaign with its first victory in three participations. A draw would also earn the national team its first point in the competition.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• Jamaica vs. Venezuela

They will face each other for the second time in the Copa America, with the first being in the Centenario 2016 (USA) in Group C, where Venezuela won 1-0 with a goal by Josef Martínez (15’).

In their last 2 meetings, each team won a match. Venezuela has won 3 of the last 4 encounters.

All-Time series: 6 matches

2 wins for Jamaica

1 draw

3 wins for Venezuela

4 goals for Jamaica

7 goals for Venezuela