The Copa América begins with the triumphs of Brazil and Colombia

(Reuters) – The Colombian soccer team debuted in the Copa América on Sunday with a narrow 1-0 victory against Ecuador thanks to a set-up play that dropped the score in a game with few arrivals.

In the match played at the Arena Pantanal stadium in Cuiabá, Colombia took advantage of its only scoring opportunity and then closed all roads to Ecuador, thereby ensuring the victory in the framework of the opening day of Group B.

In an even first stage, with distributed dominance and without clear shots to the goal, Colombia made the difference in the 42nd minute through a set-up play that Edwin Cardona converted to 1-0, after a series of passes. with Juan Cuadrado and assistance from Miguel Borja.

In the second half, Ecuador took possession of the ball and went ahead in the field in search of the equalizer, but could not break an opponent who rallied in defense to protect goalkeeper David Ospina.

A free kick by Pervis Estupiñán in the 52nd minute controlled by Ospina was the most risky occasion for the team led by Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro.

The income from the bench of several attackers for the final minutes did not help Ecuador in the face of the strength of its adversary.

With this result, Colombia added three points to reach second place in Group B, led by Brazil with the same units, but more goals in favor. Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela complete the sector.

On the next round, Colombia will face Venezuela on Thursday in Goiania, while Ecuador will face the same rival on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil conquers an uncomplicated victory against Venezuela

The Brazilian team debuted in the Copa América football match with an uncomplicated but lackluster 3-0 victory against a team from Venezuela, decimated by positive cases of covid-19, which played to defend themselves.

Marquinhos scored the opening goal of the tournament in the 22nd minute at the Mané Garrincha stadium in Brasilia, while Brazilian star Neymar scored a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and Gabriel Barbosa closed the score at 88.

The five-time world champion defends the title he won two years ago also as host, in a tournament that Brazil hosted at the last minute amid widespread discontent over the advance of the pandemic in the region.

Despite the fact that the game took place practically in the Venezuelan field, José Peseiro’s team tried to close spaces and lower the intensity of the game in the first actions.

Marquinhos scored the first goal of the tournament after taking advantage of a pass after a corner kick from Neymar. The PSG defender turned and pushed the ball into the net to set the score, as expected, in favor of the homeowners.

The locals maintained dominance in the second half, in which Venezuela consolidated its defensive game. At 62 minutes, the Uruguayan referee Esteban Ostojich decreed a penalty in favor of the “verdeamarela” for a foul against defender Danilo.

Neymar defined without difficulties to make it 2-0 and shortly before the end he was the protagonist of the play that sealed the result, when he escaped from goalkeeper Joel Gaterol and handed the ball to Gabriel Barbosa, who pushed it towards the net.

“We knew that we would find a closed Venezuela, which would make our game very difficult. But thank God we managed to open the result in the first half and that helped us, “said Marquinhos after the match.

“We were able to make plays, create chances and everyone must be congratulated on their debut against a team that came very close,” said Everton Ribeiro.

With this result, Brazil took the lead in Group B of the first round of the tournament, which also includes Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The first four qualify for the quarterfinals.

Some players from the Venezuelan squad had to join the squad at the last minute, after eight of their teammates tested positive for covid-19 on the eve of the match.

In their next matches on Thursday, Venezuela will face Colombia in Goiania while Brazil will face Peru in Rio de Janeiro.

This is Group B:

• Brazil: 3 points
• Colombia: 3 points
• Peru: 0 points
• Ecuador: 0 points
• Venezuela: 0 points