Ecuador overwhelms Venezuela 4-1

Published Nov. 17, 2010 10:29 p.m. ET

foxsports

Christian Benitez and Walter Ayovi scored two goals each in the first half as Ecuador defeated Venezuela 4-1 in a friendly Wednesday.

Benitez, a top scorer with Mexican club Santos Laguna, notched both goals in the first five minutes. Ayovi, who also plays in Mexico with Monterrey, added two more, one in the 44th and another in first-half stoppage time.

Giancarlo Maldonado scored in the 48th for Venezuela.

Both clubs are warming up for next year's South American championship, the Copa America, in which Argentina and Brazil will be the favorites.