Bolivia hold off Ecuador to close in on last eight

Bolivia are on the verge of qualification to the knockout stages of the Copa America after a shock 3-2 victory over Ecuador in the Estadio Elias Figueroa in Valparaiso.

Bolivia, who secured a point from their Group A opener with Mexico on Friday, now have four points from their two matches so far and are guaranteed at least third place in the group.

Ecuador's miserable record of not progressing out of the group stages of the Copa America since 1997 is likely to continue, unless they beat Mexico in Rancagua on Friday and other results go their way.

The top two in the three groups qualify for the quarter-finals automatically, and they will be joined in the last eight by the two third-placed teams with the best group stage records.

Bolivia took the lead in the third minute through skipper Ronald Raldes' scooped header, then doubled their advantage 15 minutes later from Martin Smedberg's emphatic finish.

Ecuador wasted a chance to halve the deficit when Bolivia goalkeeper Romel Quinonez saved Enner Valencia's weak spot-kick, then Marcelo Moreno showed the West Ham striker how to do it with his own emphatic penalty two minutes before the break.

Gustavo Quinteros's side dominated the second half, with Valencia and his strike partner Miller Bolanos both netting, but Quinonez and the Bolivia defence stood firm to secure a first Copa America win for 18 years.

2' – SAVE! Lizio concedes the first foul of the game, tripping Christian Noboa 30 yards out, and goalkeeper Quinonez does well to stop Miller Bolanos' free-kick from distance.

3' – GOAL!Ecuador 0-1 Bolivia. Bolivia win a second corner of the match, taken by Smedberg, and captain Ronald Raldes is completely unmarked to stoop and head the set-piece past Dominguez.

28' – GOAL!Ecuador 0-2 Bolivia. Smedberg strokes the ball into the corner of Dominguez's net from the edge of the box after brilliant work by Pedriel and then Moreno to rob Ayovi.

29' – SAVE! Noboa chips a free-kick into the box and Valencia holds off Raldes, but Quinonez makes a sharp save.

31' – SAVE! Quinonez makes a superb save to deny Noboa's shot from 15 yards from Paredes' cut back.

36' – PENALTY! Referee Joel Aguilar says Edward Zenteno pulled back Valencia as the pair competed for a Montero cross from the left. Valencia converts but Bolanos encroaches...and they have to take it again.

38' – PENALTY SAVE! Quinonez guesses right and beats out Valencia's unconvincing spot kick low to his right.

41' – ANOTHER PENALTY! Frickson Erazo with a high challenge in the area on the onrushing Lizio and Aguilar blows up for a spot kick.

43' – GOAL!Ecuador 0-3 Bolivia. Moreno slams an emphatic penalty past Dominguez high to the left.

47' – SAVE! Quinonez flies through the air to keep out a dipping effort from Bolanos from Ayovi's throw.

48' – GOAL! Ecuador 1-3 Bolivia. Montero wins the ball by beating Hurtado down the left and the Swansea winger squares for Valencia to tap home.

65' -SAVE! Ibarra gets the ball down the right channel but Quinonez is down well to block the half-time substitute's effort.

82' – GOAL! Ecuador 2-3 Bolivia. Bolanos rifles an effort from 30 yards over Quinonez and into the top corner for his third goal for his country.

85' - HITS THE BAR! Noboa tries an effort from 30 yards that rocks the crossbar with Quinonez well beaten.

87' - SAVE! Cazares cuts inside from the left and shoots but Quinonez makes another fine stop.

Ecuador have not advanced beyond the group stage since reaching the quarter-finals in 1997.

Ecuador have not won a game in the Copa America since 2001, while Bolivia's win is their first in the tournament since 1997.

Bolivia's victory is the first over Ecuador in 11 meetings between the sides.

Romel Quinonez (Bolivia) The 22-year-old Bolivar goalkeeper made at least six fine saves as Ecuador laid seige on his goal. The crucial stop came midway through the second half, when he blocked a Renato Ibarra effort with his legs - if Bolivia had conceded then, Ecuador would probably have secured at least a point from the match.

Ecuador: Dominguez 7, Paredes 7, Achilier, 7 Erazo 7, Ayovi 6, Martinez 6, Noboa 7, Quinonez 6, Montero 7, Bolanos 7, Enner Valencia 6. Subs: Ibarra 8, Cazares 8, Angulo 6.

Bolivia: Quinonez 9, Hurtado 7, Raldes 7, Zenteno 7, Morale 7, D Bejarano 7, Chumacero 8, Lizio 7, Smedberg 8, Moreno 7, Pedriel 7. Subs: Miranda 7, Coimbra 8, M Bejarano.