West Ham United’s Enner Valencia was on the scoresheet but could not guide Ecuador to victory as La Tri were beaten 3-2 by Bolivia in the Copa America on Monday.
The striker struck early in the second half but by then his side were already 3-0 down, with the Hammers forward having missed a first-half penalty.
Bolivia had not won a competitive away game for 20 years, but got the perfect in the Group A game when skipper Ronald Raldes got the opener after five minutes.
Martin Smedberg-Dalence added to the lead before Valencia got the chance from the spot after he was tugged in the box.
Scoring the first attempt, the 25-year-old was ordered to retake the penalty following an encroachment, but this time Bolivia keeper Romel Quinonez blocked.
Bolivia were awarded a penalty of their own and Martins Moreno slotted home to give his side a three-goal lead at the break.
Valencia was set up by Swansea City’s Jefferson Montero soon after and tapped into an empty net but despite a late fight-back which included a Miller Balonos goal reducing the deficit to one, Bolivia held on to go top of Group A.
Ecuador, though not mathematically unable to qualify, now look unlikely to make the next stage as they sit bottom of their group.
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