Colombia secure opening win

Colombia were made to battle

Colombia 1-0 Venezuela

A Tressor Moreno penalty after 22 minutes was enough to hand Colombia victory over Venezuela in the opening match of Copa America.

Moreno converted the spot-kick after Venezuela keeper Gilberto Angelucci had been adjudged to have brought the striker down.

Venezuela came back into the match in the second-half and were unlucky to have a Ruberth Moran goal disallowed for offside.

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

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Peru 2-2 Bolivia

Substitute Roberto Palacios scored four minutes from time to rescue a point for Peru in their opening Group A match against Bolivia in Lima.

GROUP A 1. Colombia 3pts 2. Bolivia 1pt 3. Peru 1pt 4. Venezuela 0 pts Remaining fixtures: 9 July: Colombia v Bolivia 9 July: Peru v Venezuela 12 July: Venezuela v Bolivia 12 July: Peru v Colombia

It rounded off a good fightback by the hosts who found themselves two goals down with just 23 minutes of regular time left to play.

Joaquin Botero put Bolivia ahead in the first-half with a stunning strike before Lorgio Alvarez added a second shortly after the interval break.

Claudio Pizzaro reduced Bolivia's lead from the penalty spot in the 67th minute with Palacios salvaging a point in the 86th minute.

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Other news

Manchester United midfielder Kleberson has suffered a muscle injury to his left leg and will miss Brazil's first game against Chile on Thursday.

Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said: "Kleberson's injury is not serious, just something muscular. But as we're so close to the first game he's out."

With Julio Baptista also ruled out, Dudu Cearense is set to share the midfield with Renato and Arsenal star Edu.