Chelsea purchase Kendry Páez makes history in the Copa America match between Ecuador and Jamaica

Kendry Páez made history on Thursday night (Dutch time). The seventeen-year-old top talent, who will move to Chelsea in the summer of 2025, scored the 2-0 for Ecuador in the Copa América match with Jamaica, becoming the second-youngest goal scorer at the continental final tournament ever. Ecuador won 3-1 and, due to Mexico's defeat against Venezuela (1-0), a draw against Mexico is enough to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Páez, who turned 17 less than two months ago, got the first opportunity at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada. The left foot took the ball with his good leg, but under pressure from the Jamaican defense he shot just over. Ecuador did not have to mourn for long. A cross from Piero Hincapié on the sideline was deflected by Kasey Palmer in such a way that goalkeeper Jahmali Waite had no chance: 1-0.

Just before half time, Ecuador were awarded a penalty after an unfortunate handball by Greg Leigh. After a VAR check, referee Cristián Garay pointed decisively to the spot and saw Páez find the bottom right corner: 2-0. The now Independiente del Valle player became the second-youngest scorer in the Copa América ever, after Johnnier Montaño, at the age of 17 years and 54 days. The Colombian scored against Argentina in 1999, when he was 16 years and 171 days old.

Páez had the opportunity to score his second goal of the evening before the half-time signal, but this time he shot just over from the edge of sixteen. Ten minutes after the break, Jamaica suddenly came back into the match, when West Ham United striker Michail Antonio got the ball at his feet from a tight situation and shot hard from the inside of the post: 2-1.

Jamaica fought back into the match and claimed a penalty after an alleged handball from Alan Franco, who seemed to get away with Garay's decision not to point to the penalty spot. Jamaica continued to look for the equalizer, but Shamar Nicholson also failed to find the net due to excellent defensive work by the Ecuadorians.

National coach Heimir Hallgrímsson, who did not have access to star player Leon Bailey, wanted to force something by introducing Renaldo Cephas, Kaheim Dixon and Michael Hector, but to no avail. the Reggae Boys. Just after the start of injury time, Minda left on his moped and once he arrived in the box he outpaced Waite with an inside right: 3-1.

Jamaica has been eliminated with zero points from two matches and will face Venezuela in its last group match, which is certain of the quarter-finals with six from two, but is still playing for the group win. The tension is mainly in the match between the other teams in Group B: Ecuador and Mexico. Both teams have three points, but because Ecuador has a better goal difference (+1 to 0), a draw is enough for Ecuador to qualify for the quarter-finals.

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