Former Town loanee starts as Ecuador edge closer to Copa America knockout stage

Former Ipswich Town loanee Jeremy Sarmiento started for Ecuador as they beat Jamaica 3-1 in their second Copa America group stage game.

The 22-year-old opened the scoring in their last game against Venezuela, but his side were beaten 2-1 after going down to 10 men midway through the first half.

It piled pressure onto last night's game against Jamaica, where Sarmiento started on the left once again, earning his 19th cap and playing 90 minutes before being withdrawn for Janner Corozo in the dying stages.

La Tri opened the scoring with a freak own-goal from Coventry City midfielder Kasey Palmer, doubling their lead in first-half stoppage time through Chelsea-bound 17-year-old Kendry Paez.

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West Ham's Michail Antonio got one back for the Reggae Boyz around 10 minutes after the restart, but substitute Alan Minda was able to seal the win in added time as Ecuador picked up their first points of the tournament.

The result leaves Felix Sanchez's side in second place on three points, ahead of upcoming opponents Mexico on goal difference alone. A win in Arizona on Monday will guarantee a place in the knockout stage, although a draw will be enough unless Jamaica can beat Venezuela by at least four goals.

A second-place finish would probably see them play World Cup champions Argentina, who currently top Group A ahead of Canada, Chile and Peru.

Sarmiento's loan spell at Ipswich has officially come to an end, although reports from Ecuador back in January suggested that the club would be able to keep him for another season if they secured promotion to the Premier League.

Speaking after his side's friendly win against Honduras earlier this month, he confirmed that he was yet to have discussions with new Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler, and that he'd return for pre-season training with the Seagulls once his international duty is over.