Venezuela 2-2 Ecuador: Hernandez heads home stoppage time equaliser

07/02/2021

Venezuela 2-2 Ecuador: Ronald Hernandez heads dramatic stoppage time equaliser to deny Ecuador their first Copa America win after Gonzalo Plata had scored just three minutes after coming off the bench late on

Venezuela twice came from behind to rescue a Copa America point in Rio
Ronald Hernandez came off bench to net equaliser in first minute of added time
Gonzalo Plata looked to have bagged Ecuador a first win after 71st minute strike
Ecuador had taken lead six minutes before half-time through Ayrton Preciado
But Edson Castillo pegged back Ecuador six minutes into second half
Both sides are still looking to seal their wins at this year’s Copa America

Ronald Hernandez scored a stoppage time equaliser for Venezuela as they twice came from behind to snatch a point and deny Ecuador their first victory at this year’s Copa America.

Gonzalo Plata looked to have grabbed victory for Ecuador just three minutes after coming off the bench in Rio with a 71st minute strike.

But in the first of six added minutes Venezuela, who had shown little threat after falling 2-1 down, grabbed a dramatic equaliser.

Venezuela players pile on Ronald Hernandez following his stoppage time equaliser

Hernandez’s header earned his side a point in their Copa America clash with Ecuador

Following a high cross from Edson Castillo, Ronald Hernandez nodded across goal to earn his side a point which had looked beyond them.

Plata came off the bench in the 68th minute before firing his side back in front as they looked to bounce back from an opening matchday defeat by Colombia.

Ayrton Preciado had given Ecuador the lead six minutes before time, only for Venezuela to equalise in the 51st minute via Edson Castillo.

MATCH FACTS

Venezuela (5-4-1): Farinez, Velazquez, Gonzalez, Cumana (Hernandez 77), Mago, Adrian Martinez, Castillo, Moreno (Celis 82), Casseres Jr (Manzano 82), Jose Martinez (Hurtado 77), Aristeguieta (Cordova 57)

Subs not used: Romero, Graterol, La Mantia

Goals: Castillo 51, Hernandez 90+1

Ecuador (4-4-2): Ortiz, Arboleda, Estupinan, Angelo Preciado, Hincapie, Mena (Plata 68), Ayrton Preciado (Martinez 88), Mendez (Noboa 68), Moises Caicedo, Valencia (Franco 83), Campana

Subs not used: Galindez, Dominguez, Pineida, Leon, Torres, Diaz, Franco, Jordy Caicedo, Estrada

Goals: Ayrton Preciado 39, Plata 71

Booked: Valencia, Angelo Preciado, Moises Caicedo

Gonzalo Plata had restored Ecuador’s lead with 19 minutes to play after prodding home

Plata’s goal came just three minutes after he entered the field of play as a substitute

Plata though bundled home the winner at the Nilton Santos Stadium, having gone on a 60-yard run via a counter attack from a Venezuela corner.

Despite his classy run resulting in his shot being blocked from close range by keeper Wuilker Farinez, a scramble inside the box saw the ball pop out again to Plata who slotted home from close range.

The result still leaves both teams winless in Group B, with Venezuela having now recorded two draws having played out a goalless affair with Colombia after opening with a 3-0 loss against hosts Brazil.

It leaves Venezuela third in Group B above Ecuador and also Peru, who play Colombia later on in the matchday, in a format which sees four of the five sides progress to the quarter finals.

Ayrton Preciado had opened the scoring for Ecuador six minutes before half-time in Rio

But Venezuela equalised in the 51st minute through Edson Castillo’s header (right)

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