BELO HORIZONTE (Reuters) - An impressive double from striker Darwin Machis helped Venezuela book their place in the Copa America quarter-finals with a comfortable 3-1 win over Bolivia on Saturday, qualifying as runners-up in Group A behind Brazil.
Machis got Venezuela off to a perfect start after goalless draws against Peru and Brazil by powering in a header in the second minute and he scored a spectacular goal early in the second half by lashing the ball into the net from just inside the area.
Bolivia pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute through Leonel Justiniano but their hopes of grabbing an equaliser proved short-lived as Josef Martinez hit a third for Venezuela three minutes later.
Venezuela finished second in Group A on five points, Brazil came first with seven, with Peru third on four and Bolivia last without a point.
(Reporting by Richard Martin, editing by Ed Osmond)