Copa America: Colombia beat Venezuela 1-0
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-07-07 11:45

Defending champion Colombia showed who wears the crown when it beat a confident Venezuela 1-0 to open the Copa America on Tuesday.

Tressor Moreno scored on a penalty kick in the 22nd minute of the Group A match, after Venezuela goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci was called for tripping up Moreno during a breakaway.

Colombian goalkeeper Juan Carlos Henao (R) takes the ball as Venezuelan Pedro Depablos attacks at the inaugural match of the Copa America Peru 2004 in Lima July 6, 2004. Colombia won the match 1-0. [Reuters]

Derided for a poor World Cup qualifying campaign, Colombia turned around and won its seventh consecutive match in the Copa without conceding a goal.

"It was important to start with a victory, on the right foot,'' Colombia goalie Juan Carlos Henao said.

Venezuela, after an upbeat qualifying run including a historic first victory over Colombia last November, still hasn't won a second Copa match since its debut in 1967.

Both teams opened cautiously, but Colombia wasted little time in testing 'keeper Angelucci, creating three dangerous scoring opportunities in the opening 10 minutes.

Colombian's Tressor Moreno (L) celebrates his first goal against Venezuela while Venezuelan goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci (background) reacts at the inaugural match of the Copa America Peru 2004 in Lima July 6, 2004. [Reuters]

In the fifth, Sergio Herrera tested Angelucci with a right-foot shot from 30 meters but was wide. Five minutes later, Herrera turned on goal, taking a quick pass from Jairo Patino before sending his shot over the crossbar. Patino took his turn in the 12th with a shot that shook the side netting.

Venezuela closed the first half playing on its heels, increasingly under pressure from wave after wave of attacks. David Ferreira had a chance to add to Colombia's lead in the 45th, slashing through two defenders, but his straight-on shot was easily handled by Angelucci.

Venezuela came out after halftime energized and consistently challenged a disciplined Colombian defense.

Juan Arango sent a long-range shot just wide in the 63rd as Venezuela showed more poise but failed to find the back of the net.

In the game's closing minutes, Venezuela had several chances at goal, but Arango and Jorge Rojas failed to convert.

"We were able to contain an avalanche in the second half,'' said Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda. Venezuela players refused to talk to reporters after the match.

On Friday, Colombia meet Bolivia, and Peru face Venezuela.

Hosts Peru come from behind to draw with Bolivia

Hosts Peru came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw with Bolivia in their opening Group A match of the 2004 Copa America.

Bolivian player Joaquin Botero celebrates after scoring a goal against Peru during the first half of their match, at the Copa America in Lima, July 6, 2004. [Reuters]

Joaquín Botero put the Bolivians 1-0 up in the 35th minute, silencing the crowd after scoring a goal on a breakaway. The Bolivians, widely considered the worst road nation in South America had truly given the tournament a shock.

The voltage of the shock doubled in the 56th minute when Lorgio álvarez put Bolivia 2-0 in front. On the counterattack, Peruvian goalkeeper óscar Ibá?ez stormed out to clear the ball, but álvarez poked it past him and slid the ball into the open net from a tough angle.

Joaquin Botero of Bolivia (C) kicks the ball past Peruvian defender Wilmer Acasiete (L) and goalie Oscar Ibanez, during the first half of their match in the Copa America in Lima, July 6, 2004. [Reuters]

Peru got one goal back in the 68th minute from the penalty spot. After Walter Vilchez was brought down in the area, Bayern Munich’s Claudio Pizarro stepped up and beat Bolivian goalkeeper Leonardo Fernández to the left.

Four minutes from time, the crowd erupted again as Peru drew level through substitute Roberto Palacios. On the edge of the area, Palacios used one touch to bring the ball up, and another to volley past Fernández.

The next round of Group A matches will be on Friday.

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