Copa America: Darwin Machis strikes power Venezuela into Copa quarter-finals
ByReuters
Published 22/06/2019 at 21:45 GMT
An impressive double from striker Darwin Machis helped Venezuela book their place in the Copa America quarter-finals with a comfortable 3-1 win over Bolivia on Saturday, qualifying as runners-up in Group A behind Brazil.
Darwin Machís of Venezuela celebrates a scored goal against Bolivia during the Copa America Brazil 2019 group A match between Bolivia and Venezuela at Mineirao Stadium on June 22, 2019 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Image credit: Getty Images
Machis got Venezuela off to a perfect start by powering in a header in the second minute, scoring their first goal of the tournament after back-to-back goalless draws against Peru and hosts Brazil.
Machis scored a spectacular goal to put his side further at ease early in the second half, bursting down the left wing on the counter-attack and holding off three defenders before cutting inside to lash the ball into the net from just inside the area.
Bolivia pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute through Leonel Justiniano but their hopes of grabbing an equaliser proved short-lived as Josef Martinez leapt to head in Venezuela's third three minutes later.
Venezuela finished second in Group A on five points, Brazil came first with seven, with Peru third on four and Bolivia last without a point.
Venezuela have qualified for the quarter-finals in four of their last five appearances in the Copa America, with their best effort coming in 2011 when they reached the semi-finals but lost to Paraguay on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
They will meet the Group B runners-up in the last eight, which could be Argentina, Qatar or Paraguay, who play their final games on Sunday.
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