Football United

Group A

Venezuela 0-1 Colombia


Tressor Moreno

Tressor Moreno scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 21st minute from the penalty spot. Incidentally, Moreno was forced to retake the original penalty because Venezuelan goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci had strayed off his line too soon. This was a poor call by the referee who should have counted the goal because Moreno had done nothing wrong. Nonetheless, justice Moreno also made good on his second crack at goal as well so justice prevailed... or did it? Questions will certainly be raised regarding the foul that led to the goal was also a dubious decision by the referee, as the Colombian attacker (Moreno) appeared to have simulated contact with the goalkeeper. Another tough break for the Venezuelans came in the second half when a goal was disallowed. However, television replays showed that not a single Venezuelan attacker was offside…a very poor call indeed. Venezuela kept on pressing for the equalizer but it never came, and Colombia walked away with all three points. With this result, Colombia notches its seventh consecutive win in the Copa America without conceding a goal.

VENEZUELA: Gilberto Guió; Luis Pacheco (Héctor Guzmán), José Cortegoso, Alejandro Konarek, Jonay Santos (Jorge Méndez); Leopoldo González, Miguel Ángel Vitali, Juan Sáenz, Ricardo Gómez; Dickson Puleo, Alexander Heredia (Pedro Jacobo).

COLOMBIA: Juan Carlos Valencia; Andrés Orozco, Gonzalo Martínez, Gustavo Victoria; Oscar Asprilla, Abel Tapias (Jaime Vázquez), Andrés González, David Ferreira (Neider Londoño), Jairo Patiño; Tressor Moreno (Jhon Viáfara Mina); Sergio Month.

GOALS: 0-1, Tressos Moreno (21', pen)

Peru 2-2 Bolivia


Roberto Palacios and Jefferson Farfán

Bolivia came out flying in this contest but did not take the lead until the 36th minute when Joaquin Botero fired them in front. When Lorgio Alvarez doubled Bolivia’s lead in the 56th minute, they had seemingly put this match out of reach and appeared to be sitting in first place in Group A after match day 1. But their lead was short-lived as Claudio Pizzaro sent goalkeeper Jose Carlos Fernandez the wrong way from the penalty spot to cut the lead in half. Peru pressed hard for the equalizer and even brought on some more attacking players, including Norberto Solano. Their attacking persistence finally paid off as Roberto Palacios took advantage of some poor defending before striking home a left-footed drive into the top corner the 85th minute to complete the dramatic fight-back and send the home fans into a frenzy. With this result, Colombia now sits in sole possession of first place in group A after one round of matches. Peru and Bolivia have a point each while Venezuela face an uphill battle following their opening day defeat.

PERU: Oscar Ibañez; Santiago Ariadela, Jorge Soto, Walter Soto; Nolberto Solano (Roberto Palacios), Miguel Rebosio, Juan Jayo, Carlos Zegarra (Aldo Vasallo); Claudio Pizarro, Jefferson Farfán, Flavio Andrade.

BOLIVIA: José Carlos Fernández; Ronald Raldes, Ronald Arana, Lorgio Álvarez, Sergio Landívar; Limberg Pizarro (Juan Carlos Arce), Rubén Tufiño, Limberg Gutiérrez, Luis Cristaldo; Miguel Mercado, Joaquín Botero.

GOALS: 0-1, Joaquín Botero (36'); 0-2, Lorgio Álvarez (56'); 1-2, Claudio Pizarro (68',pen); 2-2, Roberto Palacios (85')

Source: goal.com, conmebol.com