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Ecuador national football team
Copa America | Group Stage
Jun 15, 2015 at 10pm UK
 
Bolivia national football team

2-3

Valencia (48'), Bolanos (82')
FT(HT: 0-3)
Raldes (5'), Smedberg (18'), Moreno (43' pen.)

Live Commentary: Ecuador 2-3 Bolivia - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Copa America clash between Ecuador and Bolivia in Group A.
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Bolivia caused an almighty upset in the Copa America with a thrilling 3-2 win over Ecuador this evening to claim their first win in the competition since 1997.

The minnows raced into a three-goal lead through Ronald Raldes, Martin Smedberg and Marcelo Moreno as Ecuador faced a humiliating defeat.

However, goals from Enner Valencia and Miller Bolanos gave La Tricolor hope in the second half, but they couldn't find that vital third.

Relive Sports Mole's coverage of this absorbing contest below.


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Otherwise, that's all from me tonight! This tournament just keeps on giving doesn't it?! Make sure you check out the latest news, views and reaction from the Copa America here, and I will see shortly. Good night.

Bolivia move to the top of Group A on four points, but they might not be there for long! Chile and Mexico kick off in half-an-hour, and you can catch that with us shortly.

Ecuador can take heart from their near-comeback, but they've paid the ultimate price for that woeful first half performance, which means that their wait for a first Copa America win since 2001 goes on a little longer.

Bolivia have won!! They'e held on to secure their first Copa America victory in 18 years! They're celebrating like they've won the thing, but good on them. They've fought hard today, and deserve the three points.

FULL TIME: ECUADOR 2-3 BOLIVIA

SHOT! That is surely that for Ecuador! A neat move ends in a tame shot from Cazares, which is comfortably saved.

Ecuador can't get hold of the ball high up the pitch. Bolivia are on the cusp of victory here!

We have four minutes added on.

Bolivia have worked the ball into Ecuador's half and have won a succession of throws...this isn't what La Tricolor's want!

SUBSTITUTE! Ecuador make their final change as Paredes is replaced by Daniel Arroyo.

SAVE! Outstanding save by Quinonez, who dives high to his left to palm Cazares's swerving effort away from the top corner! Excellent goalkeeping!

OFF THE BAR! WHAT AN EFFORT BY NOBOA!! The midfielder almost equalises with a similar strike to Bolanos, but this time it rattles the cross bar. Bolivia are hanging on by a thread!

GOAL: Now it really is game on!! Bolanos scores a fantastic goal with a vicious strike into the top corner from 30 yards! Brilliant strike, brilliant goal, brilliant game!!

GOAL! ECUADOR 2-3 BOLIVIA (BOLANOS)

CLOSE! What an effort from Ibarra! A cleared free-kick falls for him on the edge of the box and he sends a swerving volley inches past the post!

The ball has hardly been out of Bolivia's half in the second period, but they have defended manfully and fighting hard for this win.

SHOT! Efforts like that won't help their cause...Valencia blasts an ugly free kick over the bar from 30 yards.

Time is starting to slip away from Ecuador, who have 15 minutes to salvage something from this match. They've huffed and puffed, but it's not been enough so far.

SUBSTITUTE! Boliva make their second change of the night as Damian Lizio is replaced by Marvin Bejarano.

CHANCE! Montero really should do better here! Bolanos finds him in space on the left-hand side of the penalty aread, but he can't pick Valencia out with a low cross and Bolivia comfortably clear.

SAVE! Ecuador keep on coming, as Noboa has a strike form 20 yards. However, it's a tame effort which is comfortably dealt with.

CHANCE! What a big chance for Ibarra, who really should score Ecuador's second! The winger is played through on goal, but he lacks composure and fires an effort straight at Quinonez.

Ecuador are knocking the ball around very smoothly at the moment, but Bolivia still remain tight and compact at the back.

CLOSE! Excellent movement from Valencia, who moves into the inside right channel and receives a neat through ball from Ibarra. The goalkeeper gets sucked into coming out, and forces Valencia wide. But the striker whips a cross back into the box, which narrowly misses the head of Bolanos.

Montero looks at the referee in disgust as he awards a free kick against him for pulling back a Bolivian defender. Despite that one mazy run which resulted in a goal for Valencia, it's not been his night.

This has been a very entertaining second half so far, with Ecuador playing at a higher tempo and Bolivia trying to counter at every opportunity,

Ibarra has certainly made an impact since coming on as he darts down the right and forces another corner. Quintero will be happy with his performance so far.

Ecuador are blessed with plenty of height, and have a chance to create problems from a free kick. However, it's a poor delivery once again and Bolivia clear their lines.

Bolivia look a little ruffled out there, as the referee gives a couple of 50/50 decisions to Ecuador. Ibarra then produces a fine cross into the box, which narrowly evades the dangerous Valencia.

GOAL: Well then!...Ecuador have pulled a goal back through Valencia, who taps into an empty net after Montero waltzed through Bolivia's defence. A neat side-ways pass caught the keeper out, and the striker had a simple finish. Game on!

GOAL! ECUADOR 1-3 BOLIVIA (VALENCIA)

SAVE! Ecuador have made a fast start and almost pull one goal back immediately through Miller Bolanos! The striker hit a dipping volley from 25 yards, which the keeper had to tip wide.

SUBSTITUTE! Unsurprisingly, Ecuador have made two half-time changes as Renato Ibarra replaces the in-effective Martinez, and Juan Cazares replaces Quinonez.

KICKOFF! Ecuador get us back underway!

So, it's almost time for the second half. How will Ecuador respond? Can they mount a comeback, or will Bolivia see out a famous victory? Stick with us to find out!

Remember that the Copa America action doesn't stop here tonight. In 90 minutes hosts Chile will kickoff against Mexico, knowing that a win will see them through to the quarter-finals. You can follow that with us live later on.

Oh to be a fly on the wall in the Ecuador dressing room right now (if you can speak Spanish). Gustavo Quintero must be going potty in there, and delivering a Fergie-esque rollicking.

Can Ecuador find a way back? Well, they have created plenty of chances so they shouldn't give up hope, but they have been abysmal in front of goal so far. On this form, it's no wonder they haven't won a game in this tournament since 2001.

Bolivia hit the front after just five minutes through Raldes' header, while Smedberg's goal was an outstanding finish. But it's the events of the last eight minutes which have really defined this game. Valencia's woeful penalty for Ecuador at one end, followed by Martins' successful spot-kick minutes later at the other.

Well, how about that! Ecuador, who have played at three of the last four World Cups, trail 3-0 to a side who are have won just 1 of their 17 games. Bolivia have been ruthless in front of goal, while Ecuador have been extremely wasteful and that is the big difference between the two sides.

HALF TIME: ECUADOR 0-3 BOLIVIA

YELLOW CARD! Bolivia's Miguel Hurtado is booked for a late tackle, and he joins Erazo, Pedro Quinonez and Joel Aguilar in the book.

GOAL: UNBELIEVABLE! Just minutes after Valencia misses a penalty for Ecuador, Bolivia move into a three-goal lead! Left-back Frickson Erazo has a lot of explaining to do at half-time after an outrageous high boot in the box leaves the ref with little choice. Martins Moreno coolly slots it home, and this game could be over already!

GOAL! ECUADOR 0-3 BOLIVIA (MARTINS MORENO)

PENALTY BOLIVIA

SAVE! I'm getting the feeling that this is just not Ecuador's night. The referee awards a penalty for a pull in the box by Edward Zenteno, who picks up a yellow card, and Valencia steps up and fires the ball into the back of the net. However, Joel Aguilar isn't happy with something and orders it to be re-taken. Of course you know what comes next: Valencia makes a hash of it, and Quinonez dives low to make a comfortable save!

PENALTY MISSED!

PENALTY ECUADOR!

Ecuador force a corner, but it's a poor effort from Walter Ayovi, who fails to beat the first man. Valencia needs better service than that.

CLOSE! How long can Bolivia hold out for?? Ecuador waste two golden opportunities to score as Christian Noboa mis-hits a shot from six yards, before Bolanos is thwarted by Quinonez from close range. It's desperate stuff from Bolivia's defence, while Ecuador really should have scored by now.

SAVE! Another good save from Quinonez keeps the score at 2-0! A high ball over the top releases Valencia through on goal. But his low shot is saved by the keeper, and turned behind for a corner. Valencia looks to the sky in disgust.

SAVE! That's good, safe goalkeeping from Romel Quinonez, who dives in at the feet of Enner Valencia to claim a low cross from Pedro Quinonez. The West Ham man thought he had a tap-in!

CLOSE! That second Bolivia goal has really woke Ecuador up, and they almost pull one back. A low cross from the left causes all kinds of problems before Paredes has a shot blocked at the back post.

Ecuador are all over them now, but Bolivia have every player back in their own half.

CHANCE! Ecuador are bossing possession, and almost pull one back! Jefferson Montero slides a measured pass through for Valencia, who takes the ball round the goalkeeper. However, he is forced out wide and his cross gets cleared.

GOAL: Astonishing! Bolivia double their lead, and what a fine strike it is from Martin Smedberg! The midfielder latches on to a lay-off from Martins and bends a first-time effort into the corner from 25 yards! Bolivia are in dream land, and are on their way to their first Copa America win in 18 years!

GOAL! ECUADOR 0-2 BOLIVIA (SMEDBERG)

CHANCE! Bolivia are playing on the counter-attack, and almost get in on goal. Pedriel spots Martins running off the shoulder of the last defender, but his pass is under hit.

SHOT! Enner Valencia will be key for Ecuador today, and he almost works the Bolivian goalkeeper for he first time. The West Ham striker creates space for himself in the box, but his shot is charged down.

That's a bit better from La Tricolor, who move the ball around slightly quicker and progress into the final third. Enner Valencia loses control and it goes out of play, but those are good signs for their passing game.

SHOT! This is a half-chance for Fidel Martinez, who blasts the ball over the bar from the edge of the box. The Ecuador winger covers his face with his hands, in what is rather symbolic of their performance so far.

Bolivia are completely in control in these early stages, and Ecuador look very frustrated already. They're struggling to keep possession and are yet to mount a serious attack.

GOAL: What a start from Bolivia! Ecuador have looked shabby so far, and they fall behind to such a simple goal! Smedberg whips in a corner from the right, and an unmarked Raldes stoops low to plant his header inside the near post from eight yards out. Disaster for Ecuador!

GOAL! ECUADOR 0-1 BOLIVIA (RALDES)

CLOSE! Wow! Bolivia almost take a second-minute lead as Martin Smedberg's ambitious shot from the free kick almost sneaks inside the post. However, Alexander Dominguez scrambles across to tip the ball out for a corner. There was a collective gasp from Ecuador's supporters as they watched that unfold.

It's a good start for Bolivia, who are dressed in all white, as they force a free kick inside Ecuador's half.

KICKOFF! Bolivia get this crunch game underway!

The formalities are now complete, and we're just a couple of minutes from kickoff.

It's fair to say that Bolivia are not the crowd favourites judging by the sea of yellow in the stands and the quiet response to their anthem.

The players emerge from the tunnel and stroll into the bright sunshine in Valparaiso. Kickoff will follow the national anthems.

PREDICTION: Considering Bolivia's woeful form and questionable preparation, it is hard to look beyond an Ecuador win. La Tricolor are powerful and pacey in attack and should have too much for Bolivia's defence. I'm going for a 2-0 win.

Bolivia's chaotic managerial situation may be down to the fact that they have won just one of their last 17 games...

Ecuador will be confident of securing a much-needed win tonight, as they have beaten their opponents in nine of their last 10 encounters. Bolivia are also a rather unsettled side, as coach Mauricio Soria is the third man in charge in the last four games.

TEAM NEWS: Ecuador have gone for a 4-2-3-1 formation and have three Premier League players in their XI. Watford's Juan Carlos Paredes starts at right-back, while Swansea City's Jefferson Montero is one of three players who will support West Ham United's Enner Valencia in attack. Bolivia have brought in tricky left-winger Pablo Escobar, who impressed from the bench against Mexico.

BOLIVIA: Quinonez, Hurtado, Raldes, Zenteno, Morales, Smedberg, Bejerano, Chumacero, Escobar, Pedriel, Martins.

ECUADOR: Dominguez, Paredes, Achillier, Erazo, Ayovi, Noboa, Quinonez, Martinez, Bolanos, Montero, Valencia.

We have team news for tonight's game...

Ecuador lost 2-0 to host nation Chile in the opening game last week, before Bolivia drew 0-0 with Mexico 24 hours later. Incredibly, Ecuador haven't won a Copa America game since 2001! And Bolivia haven't tasted success since 1997! Will something give tonight?

It's crazy to think that all 12 teams have already played their opening match, and they're all geared up for the second round of group games. Neither of tonight's sides have won yet, so victory is vital tonight.

Hello, good evening and welcome everybody to the Estadio Elias Figueroa Brander where Ecuador and Bolivia will do battle in the Copa America this evening.

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Ecuador's Jefferson Montero in action against Australia during an international friendly match on March 5, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Argentina Argentina33009
Q Canada Canada31114
3 Chile Chile30212
4 Peru flag Peru30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Venezuela Venezuela33009
Q Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Jamaica Jamaica30030

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Uruguay flag Uruguay33009
Q Panama flag Panama32016
3 United States USA31023
4 Bolivia flag Bolivia30030

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Colombia Colombia32107
Q Brazil Brazil31205
3 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31114
4 Paraguay flag Paraguay30030


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