Bolivia 1-3 Venezuela
Two goals from Darwin Machis set Venezuela on course for a 3-1 win over Bolivia tonight, to send Rafael Dudamel’s team into the Copa America quarter finals.
The Vinotinto came into this final Group A clash knowing that a win would pretty much guarantee their progress to the last eight, and they delivered against a Bolivia side which has yet to win a game in 2019.
It’s a well deserved outcome for the Vinotinto which is unbeaten in the group stage and they will be hard to beat going forward.
Highlights of the game
Venezuela had a clear target for this game, to collect the three points they needed to progress to the knockout stages, and they had a dream start in the second minute. The Bolivia defence, which had suffered in their first two games, were half asleep when Ronald Hernandez crossed and Darwin Machis powered a header into the roof of the net, with Bolivia keeper Carlos Lampe grasping at thin air.
The Vinotinto smelled blood so early in the game and went in search of a second goal. Salomon Rondon is Venezuela’s all time top scorer and he proved his menace, scoring twice in a recent 3-0 win over USA. He’s a handful for any defence and strong in the air, and when he nodded one down for Jefferson Savarino the right winger saw his shot charged down.
Eduardo Villegas’ Bolivia hadn’t had much joy so far in the Copa America but they did have a chance on seven minutes, Ramiro Vaca found Cristian Arano in space and he rifled a shot towards the top right corner but Wuilker Farinez stretched himself to save. The Vinotinto keeper had a super game when his team drew 0-0 with Brazil last time out, though he had some help from VAR as the Selecao had three goals ruled out.
Bolivia had another attempt when top scorer Marcelo Martins headed down to Vaca but his shot flew over the bar. And then on 39 minutes they came so close when Raul Castro, who’d only been on the pitch for five minutes having replaced Vaca, saw his long range effort crash against the left hand post. At the other end, on the stroke of half time, Lampe saved well when Rondon created a chance for Jefferson Savarino.
Dudamel’s side knew they needed to simply draw the second half, and with such a good defensive record they seemed happy to sit back in the early stages. Bolivia took the invitation to come forward but when Luis Haquin passed to Cristian Arano, the wide man fired straight at Farinez.
But any hopes of a Bolivian comeback faded when that man Machis struck again, this time taking a pass from Tomas Rincon and firing an unstoppable shot into the top right corner.
As the game began to get stretched Bolivia top scorer Marcelo Martins brought a good save from Farinez, and then Venezuela wing back Hernandez produced two good deliveries for Machis and Rondon but both efforts went wide. Venezuela went for the jugular and Junior Moreno and Savarino both had efforts blocked.
With ten minutes remaining the tension in the stadium went up a few notches as Bolivia pulled one back. Diego Bejarano slid the ball to Leonel Justiniano, and his shot flew into the bottom corner beyond Farinez’ despairing dive.
But Venezuela wasn’t about to give up the points and they hit back to seal the points when Yeferson Soteldo crossed and Josef Martinez glanced his header home.
Key statistics
In a fairly tight first half Venezuela struck early and then held on to their lead relatively comfortably, as Bolivia managed just one shot on target to the Vinotinto’s two.
Bolivia fought hard in the second half and managed four shots on target to Venezuela’s five but Dudamel’s side was more clinical, consigning Bolivia to a third successive defeat, conceding three goals every time.
The Bolivia vs Venezuela betting odds had Venezuela as a hot favourite at odds of 1.50 and in the end it was a comfortable win.
What’s next?
Well, SBOBET Copa America fans, the action is about to heat up as we move into the quarter final phase. The other Group A clash ended in a thumping 5-0 win for Brazil against Peru as the Selecao got back on track to win the group.
There are a few group matters still to resolve, with Argentina having work to do to qualify and Copa America title holder Chile meeting highly fancied Uruguay on Tuesday.
The Copa America updates will keep coming thick and fast as the teams up the ante and we move into the knockout phase. It’s just going to get better and better!
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
