Lionel Messi sending the ball over the wall and into the net against Chile, yet Argentina had to be content with a 1-1 draw in their Copa America opener on Monday (14)[/caption]
UPCOMING FIXTURES THIS WEEK
Friday, 18 June:
Match 5: Colombia vs. Venezuela (Group B) at Goiania (2.30 a.m.*)
Match 6: Brazil vs. Peru (Group B) at Rio de Janeiro (5.30 a.m.)
Saturday, 19 June:
Match 7: Chile vs. Bolivia (Group A) at Cuiaba (2.30 a.m.)
Match 8: Argentina vs. Uruguay (Group A) at Brasilia (5.30 a.m.)
* All times in SL Time
* Brazil beat Venezuela 3-0:
Amidst the Covid-19 crisis in Brazil, the Copa America kicked off on Sunday (13). Brazil took on Venezuela in the Brasilia National Stadium. The tournament favourites and hosts, Brazil dominated the match as expected.
PSG midfielder Marquinhos opened the scoring in the first half to take the lead going into the break. Second half saw Neymar successfully converting a penalty and Gabriel Barbosa making it three after coming from the bench.
* Colombia beat Ecuador 1-0:
Columbia took on Ecuador in their Group A clash on the same day. The initial co-hosts of Copa America 2021, Columbia withdraw from hosting after a sudden spike in Coronavirus cases. However, their campaign got underway in exactly how they would have wanted as they defeated Ecuador 1-0 on Sunday.
The only goal of the match came through a team move which started from a free kick, taken shortly by Edwin Cardona, who then ran into the box to receive the ball and scored for his side.
* Argentina vs. Chile 1-1:
Argentina opened their campaign with a disappointing draw against Chile in a Group B game on Monday (14). However, Lionel Messi took centre stage once again in national colours with a stunning free kick to put his team in the lead early on. Chile found the equaliser through Eduardo Vargas. It came off fortunate circumstances when Chile won a penalty. Arturo Vidal took it only for it to be saved by a diving Emiliano Martinez. Unfortunately for the Aston Vila “shot stopper”, the ball deflected in front of goal where Vargas stormed in and found the net with ease.
* Paraguay beat Bolivia 3-1:
In the other Group B clash, Paraguay defeated Bolivia 3-1 on Monday. Erwin Saavedra put Bolivia ahead with a successful penalty in the first half. A strong second half from Paraguay saw Angel Romero scoring a brace and Alejandro Romero scoring the third to seal the win.