Football: Peru thumps Uruguay in Copa America opener
MERIDA, Venezuela, June 26, 2007
Peru kicked off its Copa America campaign by beating Uruguay 3-0 in a group A match here on Tuesday.
Miguel Villanta, Juan Carlos Marino and Paolo Guerrero were on target in the Metropolitano Stadium as Peru shocked their opponents, as Uruguay were considered by many as dark horses for the prestigious tournament.
The Uruguayans, missing Alvaro Recoba after the Internazionale forward was ruled out with a muscle problem, came out with more spark but it was the Incas who struck first as defender Miguel Villanta powered home a header from Juan Carlos Marino's corner after 26 minutes to give the Peruvians a narrow 1-0 half-time lead.
Manager Oscar Tabarez brought on Diego Rodriguez and Sebastian Abreu during the interval in a bid to make Uruguay more of an attacking threat and the duo combined after 66 minutes to give Rodriguez a great chance to level but it was wasted.
Marino doubled the lead three minutes later with a beautiful long-range strike. And two minutes from the end, Uruguay were hit on the counter as they desperately searched for a way back into the contest.
Julio Cesar Uribe led the breakaway before setting up Hamburg forward Paolo Guerrero to put the result beyond any doubt.
Group A : Uruguay 0 Peru 3
Scorers:
Peru - Miguel Villalta 27, Juan Carlos Marino 69, Paolo Guerrero 89.
Halftime: 0-1.
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Group A : Venezuela 2 Bolivia 2
Scorers:
Venezuela - Giancarlo Maldonado 21, Ricardo Paez 56
Bolivia - Alejandro Cichero 39 own goal, Jean Carlos Arce 84
Halftime: 1-1
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