Miller Bolanos scored the lone second-half goal and Ecuador rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie Peru 2-2 on Wednesday night in the Copa America.
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Cueva’s phenomenal turn and finish stunned Ecuador in the fifth minute and gave Peru a 1-0 lead.
Some wild and ambitious moments in the first four minutes culminated in Cueva’s opening goal, and it was all Peru from there until Valencia found his stride.
Valencia volleyed a superb goal six minutes before halftime to get Ecuador back into the match.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder grabbed his first two goals inside the first half hour of a one-sided Group B game at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl in Florida.
Peru made no changes to their squad that beat Haiti 1-0, but Ecuador coach Gustavo Quinteros elected to make one adjustment to his, bringing in goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez for Esteban Dreer.
In the 48th minute, Jefferson Montero completed a combination of passes by tapping the ball back to Miler Bolanos, who finished from close range to lock the score at 2-2.
In a fast-paced finish to the game both sides went out to secure the three points, and Peru nearly clinched a stoppage-time victor, but Manuel Ruidiaz had a thunderous strike go just wide of the post.
Peru is now sitting at the top of Group B with 3 points.
Ecuador celebrated their comeback for a 2-2 draw with Peru at the Copa America Centenario as if they had won after keeping their quarter-final hopes alive. He had an excellent game punching his 15th goal in 27 caps and fantasy owners can expect even more on Sunday against the inferior Haiti, who received seven from Brazil.
Further complicating matters is the fact that Brazil meets Peru later that night (8:30, Fox Sports 1) at Gillette Stadium.
Ecuador is at third spot with two points.
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Gabriel Achilier from Ecuador was sent off the field after receiving his second yellow card in the dying minutes.
