KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s quest in the Copa America is all but over after they were beaten 3-1 by Ecuador in their Group B game played at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday.

The loss was the second for Jamaica who were edged 1-0 in their first game against Mexico and fell to the bottom of the points tables, without a point as Ecuador joined Mexico and Venezuela on three points each.

Mexico and Venezuela were scheduled to meet later on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

An opportunistic 13 th minute goal and a harsh penalty in time added on at the end of first half gave Ecuador a 2-0 lead but the Boyz fought back and were rewarded with their first ever goal in the second half and looked well set to grab an equaliser but a goal from Ecuador late in the second half sentenced them to an eighth straight loss in the competition.

Ecuador were gifted the lead after an attempted block on Piero Hincapie by Kasey Palmer near the right corner flag, saw the ball loop high in the air and lodged into the far top corner of the Jamaican goal.

A good comeback was wiped out just before the half time when Greg Leigh was adjudged to have handled the ball in his own area and after a long delay, 17-year-old Kenry Paez converted the spot kick.

Jamaica’s good start to the second half was rewarded when Michail Antonio was well- placed to swivel and hit the ball off the base of the left post for the Reggae Boyz’ first ever goal in the tournament, breaking a drought of 684 minutes and seven and half games.

Ecuador got a last minute goal, on the break, from second half substitute Oswaldo Mindo who was allowed to dribble from his half of the field and beat goalkeeper Jamali Waite from inside his box.

-Paul A Reid