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Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Copa America : Argentina 4-2 Columbia

Argentina thrashed Colombia 4-2 and Paraguay overcame the United States 3-1 to claim berths in their Copa America quarterfinals on Monday.

The results were also good news for host Venezuela, who advanced to the last eight for the first time ever as, at worst, one of the two best third-place finishers.

Argentina were led by Juan Roman Riquelme’s two first-half goals — one off a header in the 33rd minute and then a curving free kick over a Colombian wall just before halftime — Argentina resumed the dominant offensive play that allowed it to breeze past the United States in their opening match.

For Colombia, Edixon Perea scored the game’s opening goal off a penalty, and Jaime Castrillon closed the gap to 2-3 but Argentina looked in control throughout.

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In the other Group C game - the United States played far better than their first match and competed well - but Paraguay were sharper in and around the box and took their chances well.

Oscar Cardozo set up Edgar Barreto’s goal in the 30th with a sharp pass between two defenders, before US equalised with their first goal from open play in the tournament when Taylor Twellman knocked down a deep ball to Ricardo Clark, who buried a shot past a diving Justo Villar just inside the near post.

With the Americans threatening, Cardozo then put Paraguay ahead at the start of the second-half and substitute Salvador Cabanas scored off the bench with a free kick in injury time.