Venezuela eliminate Uruguay

Salomon Rondon's first-half effort put Venezuela into the Copa America quarterfinals after a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Philadelphia.

Rondon's 36th-minute goal gave Venezuela two wins from two and eliminated Uruguay after Mexico beat Jamaica in the later game on Thursday.

Defender Maxi Pereira became Uruguay's most-capped player as he made his 113th appearance, surpassing the record of Diego Forlan but Luis Suarez missed out through injury.

Venezuela went ahead when Alejandro Guerra spotted Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera off his line and launched an audacious 50-yard effort that Muslera did well to tip onto the crossbar but Rondon was alert to the rebound and reacted quickest to turn the ball into the net.

La Vinotinto came close to doubling their advantage in the 68th minute when Adalberto Penaranta broke clear but Muslera turned his attempt away.

Edinson Cavani, who had gone close twice in the first half, should have equalised a minute from time but fired narrowly wide when through one-on-one with Jose Contreras.

And with Muslera in the box for a late corner, Venezuela could have added a second when the clearance found Romolu Otero but his attempt at the unguarded goal drifted inches wide.