EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Enner Valencia scored and had two assists to help Ecuador beat Haiti 4-0 on Sunday night and advance to the Copa America quarterfinals for the first time since 1997.
Ecuador (1-0-2), which locked up second in Group B play, will play Group A winner United States on Thursday in Seattle.
Valencia fired in a low shot in the 11th minute, taking a long feed from Christian Noboa from the corner of the 6-yard box. Valencia then tapped a layoff to Jaime Ayovi for a roller past goalkeeper Johny Palcide about nine minutes later.
Noboa and Antonio Valencia added goals in the 57th and 78th minutes
Ecuador had 22 shots, including 10 on target, compared to just eight for Haiti (0-3-0), which finished the tournament with a minus-11 goal differential.
Peru 1, Brazil 0
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Peru stunned Brazil, eliminating it from Copa America on a late goal by Raul Ruidiaz that may have been a hand ball.
Peru beat Brazil for the first time in 31 years to win Group B and will face Colombia in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Dominated for most of the game, Peru’s Andy Polo managed a takeaway and crossed to Ruidiaz in the box. He deflected the ball into the net, and Brazil keeper Alisson immediately complained the ball also made contact with Ruidiaz’s hand. After a lengthy discussion by referees, the goal was allowed.
Peru had 10 losses, six draws since 1985) Brazil is eliminated after reaching at least the quarterfinals of every Copa America since 1993.
The group stage loss also could put the job of Brazil manager Dunga at risk.
Klinsmann hopes Americans’ mentality changes in quarters
PHILADELPHIA — Jurgen Klinsmann wants a transformed mentality when the United States opens the knockout phase of the Copa America on Thursday.
“The whole old story is the underdog story, and I cannot hear that story anymore,” the U.S. coach said. “I want to see them risk things. Let’s go for it. Because if you’re not going for it, sooner or later they’re going to break you down.”
After beating Paraguay 1-0 on Saturday night despite playing nearly the entire second half a man down, the U.S. won Group A on goal difference over Colombia and advanced to a quarterfinal in Seattle against Ecuador.
The Americans still can be timid at times against soccer powers. Although they have won exhibitions at Italy, Germany and the Netherlands in recent years, they struggled to maintain possession. And when the U.S. played Belgium in the second round of the 2014 World Cup, the Americans extended the game to extra time only because of goalkeeper Tim Howard’s outstanding play.
