It is all hands on deck for Venezuela now as they are currently operating with all 11 men behind the ball in defensive positions. A Colombia barrage is expected for the next couple of minutes! Is there any drama left in this game?!
90'
A rather charitable five minutes of injury time has been allocated by the referee which should give Colombia one last confidence boost before the end of the match. Venezuela have defending magnificently up until this point, but they need to keep their heads for just a little more time.
88'
Gonzalez just takes the sting out of the match and wastes a bit of time as he stays down on the floor after an aerial clash with Valencia. To be fair to the Venezuelan, he did look to have taken a sore one on the side of the head, but he is not being awarded much sympathy from the Colombians.
86'
G. Cichero enters the game and replaces J. Arango.
J. Rodríguez gets yellow.
Zuniga drives down the right wing and then reverts back to Cuadrado, who swings a deep cross to the back post with pace. Gutierez meets it and instead of trying to find a team-mate back inside, decides to go for goal himself. In the end his attempt just grazes the side netting as Baroja sees it easily by the post.
84'
How have Colombia not equalised here! Jackson Martinez rises high at the back post and somehow manages to send his header AWAY from goal! Cuadrado latches on to the loose ball and attempts to find the bottom corner with a volley with his back to goal, but it goes wide of the left-hand post!
83'
O. Vizcarrondo gets yellow.
82'
J. Martínez enters the game and replaces P. Armero.
Last throw of the dice fro Pekerman here and it will see defender, Armero, come off to be replaced by Porto striker Jackson Martinez, who started the last Colombia match against Costa Rica. All the big hitters are out there now, but they are running out of time to salvage anything from this match!
80'
Rondon is pinched of the ball on the edge of the opposition penalty area and James leads the Colombian counterattack forward before sending a pass deep down the left channel for Falcao. The former Atletico Madrid striker collects near the corner flag and then attempts to find the overlapping Armero with a back heel, but Venezuela manage to clear up the park.
78'
César González enters the game and replaces R. Vargas.
Baroja finally called into action with a brilliant double save! The Venezuela goalkeeper firstly denies James' drilled strike towards the bottom corner and then swiftly gets to his feet to beat away Cardona's rebounded shot that looked like it was destined for the net! Colombia are turning up the heat!
76'
Just under 15 minutes remaining in this Group C opening match between Colombia and Venezuela. The World Cup quarter-finalists know they already have Brazil to come in this group, so perhaps would have viewed this match as must-win before play began. They are trailing at the moment and have a lot of work to do if they are to claim one point never mind three!
Minute
Description
75'
F. Lucena enters the game and replaces L. Seijas.
74'
F. Lucena gets yellow.
Venezuela follow suit and make their opening substitution of the match and it will see Seijas come off to be replaced by Lucena, who only a couple of moments ago was bizarrely yellow carded for knocking the ball out of Cardona's hand whilst standing waiting to come on! One of the most crazy bookings you will see in this tournament!
72'
T. Gutiérrez enters the game and replaces C. Bacca.
Second change of the match from Colombia now and it sees Bacca, who only a couple of weeks ago was starring in the Europa League final but who has been ineffectual tonight, is replaced by Teo Gutierezz.
71'
C. Zúñiga gets yellow.
70'
We've got another yellow card coming out now and it is brandished to Zuniga for a pretty nothing aerial challenge on Guerra down the right wing. It didn't look like there was anything in that at all, but the Venezuelan makes the most of it, earning his marker a booking in the process.
68'
Colombia are treated to another free kick inside the Venezuela half, which James will be tasked with once again. And indeed, once again is a disappointing delivery from the Madrid man as he floats a wasteful cross into the box which is swiftly gobbled up by Baroja, who is subsequently clattered by Bacca, resulting in a foul.
66'
This really has been such a disappointing performance from Colombia so far. For a team who has won seven straight matches heading into this clash tonight, they are playing as if they have never been on the same pitch with each other before. James, Falcao, Cuadrado, and Bacca have all been poor.
64'
This Colombia defence if all over the place here! Guerra is involved in the action positively once again as he pops up down the left wing before teasing another lovely cross into the box. The defenders just seem to stand still which allows Vargas to move in between to attempt to get a shot away, but the ball eventually finds its way into the arms of the grateful Ospina.
63'
E. Cardona enters the game and replaces C. Sánchez.
62'
First change of the match from Jose Pekerman now and it is a positive one. The more defensively minded midfielder, Carlos Sanchez, is coming off and he'll be replaced by the more creative Edwin Cardona. Colombia need to find an equaliser, and quick!
60'
S. Rondón has scored a goal for Venezuela! Assist by A. Guerra.
GOOOOAAAAALLL!! GOOOAAALL!!! GOOOOOAAAALLL FOR VENEZUELA! A wonderfully worked move! Vargas gets into a great position inside the Colombia box and then finds Guerra at the back post with a superb lofted cross. The ball comes back into the danger via a header and Rondon finds the bottom corner with a superb glancing header of his own! One-nil!
59'
We are just approaching the hour mark in this clash now and the opening 15 minutes or so of the second period as more or less followed the same formula as the first half. Colombia are seeing plenty of the ball, but while they are unable to cause any problems, Venezuela are looking dangerous in the final third.
57'
Fair play to Vargas for coming back and helping out his defence, but Venezuela's no.10 has committed far too many needless fouls whilst inside his own half. The latest one comes on Carlos Sanchez, which means Colombia are gifted yet another set-piece opportunity. One of these has to come off soon, surely.
55'
VENEZUELA HIT THE BAR! Rondon drives forward through the middle and then releases Guerra down the left channel. The cross eventually is curled to the back post and the Zenit striker rises high before bulleting a header off the woodwork! Luckily for him, the referee blows for a foul on the defender anyway.
54'
C. Sánchez gets yellow.
53'
Falcao battles hard inside the box and makes his way to the byline before intelligently recycling possession back into the danger area with a back heel. James meets the loose ball and attempts an awkward looking volley from around 12 yards out, but the Venezuela defence remain solid and make sure it is blocked for a corner.
51'
The Colombia and Venezuela fans were both full of gusto before the opening whistle and for the first few minutes of play, but the atmosphere has waned slightly due to the pretty abject action on the pitch. Something is needed just to inject a little more intensity into the affair at the moment.
49'
James collects the ball down the right wing this time and typically cuts in on his stronger left foot before fizzing a strike towards the bottom corner. It isn't a particularly well struck attempt on goal from the Madrid man though and so Baroja easily sees it wide of the left-hand post.
47'
Cuadrado whips a dangerous corner kick into the area and Tunez clears to around 35 yards out where Sanchez is situated. The Aston Villa midfielder ambitiously attempts to hit the ball on the volley the first time, but his strike on goal never looks like troubling the keeper and goes wayward. His first international strike still eludes him.
46'
We are back under way in this Copa America Group C clash! Do we have a winner?
45'
It is a much better delivery into the box from James this time as the Real Madrid man attempts to find Falcao at the front post. Colombia's record goalscorer battles with Tunez to try and get on the end of it, but Venezuela manage to clear without much difficulty. Very solid performance from that back four, and the keeper, so far.
44'
Falcao comes deep to see more of the ball and picks up halfway through the Venezuela half before being hauled to the floor by Vizcarrondo. It was a daft challenge from the centre-back and now Colombia have another opportunity to get a ball into the box with a set-piece down the left channel.
42'
WHAT AN ATTEMPT FROM GUERRA! The 29-year-old collects possession in a useful area inside the opposition box and flicks the ball into the air before sending a spectacular volley towards the bottom corner with his back to goal, but Ospina manages to get across goal and palm behind for a corner kick! Almost a sensational goal for Venezuela!
40'
After that decent few minutes for Venezuela, Colombia have quickly got back on top to heap more pressure on the opposition defence. Cuadrado and Zuniga are linking up well down the right wing and have got some decent crosses in, but they are being swiftly cleared by the defenders each and every time.
38'
Venezuela are just enjoying a small period of sustained possession at the moment and it has taken the sting out of the game slightly and curbed the ascendancy of Colombia. Falcao and Bacca are working hard to win the ball back, but it goes all the way back to the keeper, Baroja.
36'
If Colombia can manage to sort out their set-piece delivery, they will have a better chance of getting on the scoresheet today. Venezuela have committed a large number of fouls in dangerous positions in their own half, but Pekerman's outfit have been unable to take advantage, with James in particular being guilty of not putting quality crosses in.
34'
There is a small break in play at the moment as Vargas is currently down near the corner flag deep into the Venezuela half. The attacker appeared to have been trod on by the foot of Valencia, and also seems to have been caught in the face by a wayward hand from the Colombian. It remains to be seen whether there was any malice in either incident, but there is no card shown regardless.
32'
Arango pops up down the right-hand side and cuts inside on his left foot before fizzing a cross-come-shot curling into the area. It is too far forward for Rondon to get anything on it, which means it goes towards goal, forcing Ospina into a rather awkward save at the front post. The Arsenal goalkeeper was nearly caught out by that one there!
30'
We are a third of the way through this Copa America Group C clash and we are no closer to knowing who is more likely to claim all three points. Colombia have had the majority of the possession by a long way, but Venezuela have definitely had the better goalscoring chances, and it is making for a very even contest out there.
28'
Vizcarrondo misjudges a bouncing ball horribly in a dangerous position at the back and Falcao takes advantage to sneak in between the two Venezuelan central defender to steal possession. The on-loan Manchester United striker then spots the keeper off his line and attempts to loft it over his head, but the shot goes a few yards north of the crossbar.
26'
SAVE FROM OSPINA! Arango receives the ball to feet 18 yards out and holds possession up strongly before delightfully threading a pass in behind the Colombia defence for Vargas! The AEK Athens man then finds himself one-on-one with the keeper, who saves the subsequent shot on goal with a solid stop! That should have been one-nil!
24'
F. Amorebieta gets yellow.
It doesn't get much better for Amorebieta after that poor cross as he has now been awarded a yellow card for a spectacularly late challenge on Cuadrado, who had left him for dead down the right wing. The 30-year-old will be walking on egg shells for a large portion of this match now, which isn't exactly ideal against someone with the quality the Chelsea winger possesses.
22'
Amorebieta, who has shown decent attacking ambition so far without really producing an end product from the wing, cuts inside and attempts to curl a cross into the box, but it is a horrible miscue from the defender as he fires a stray ball right into the stand. A few chorused boos can be heard from the Venezuelan faithful.
20'
Cuadrado comes in from the right touchline slightly and finds a yard of space before whipping a wicked cross to the back post. Baroja comes off his line and initially looks like he has everything under control before dropping possession inside the area! In the end he recovers well to pounce on the ball just before the edge of the box, but that was a slightly dodgy moment from him.
18'
L. Seijas gets yellow.
It is all getting a little scrappy out there at the moment as both sides exchange a couple of tackles in and around the centre circle. Eventually we see the first booking of the match as Seijas is penalised for a poorly timed challenge on James.
16'
Some worrying scenes for Colombia at the moment as Ospina is currently down injured after a seemingly innocuous clash with Guerra inside his own box. It looked like the Arsenal keeper just landed awkwardly on his knee under the pressure of the Venezuelan striker, but it seems like he'll be okay to continue after receiving some physio treatment.
14'
Amorebieta makes his way down the left wing and then fires a pass into the path of Rondon, who attempts to cleverly turn the ball round the corner for the onrushing Guerra. It was a decent idea from the striker, but in the end his compatriot can't make up the ground to stop the ball going out for a corner kick.
12'
For the most part, this has largely been attack versus defence in favour of Colombia. The team in yellow this evening are pushing their Group C opponents back into deep areas constantly, but to the credit of the latter they have defended very solidly so far. Falcao hasn't really got a sniff yet.
10'
Very slack from Zapata! The Milan defender languishes on the ball in a dangerous area at the back which allows Rondon to pounce and steal possession before darting forward. The Venezuelan striker finds his attacking partner, Guerra, who attempts to whip a cross into the box, but Zuniga gets back into position to make the block at the front post.
8'
It has been a good start from Colombia here as they have looked to assert their authority on possession from the get-go. Their game plan has worked up until a point so far as they are bossing things in those central areas, but we haven't seen too much from their danger men, Bacca, Falcao, Cuadrado, or James, yet. Still early doors.
6'
As suspected, it does indeed look like Bacca is playing in a front two alongside Falcao, but the Sevilla man, whenever Colombia lose the ball, is just dropping a little deeper in order to plug the gap between midfield and attack. Whenever Pekerman's outfit have possession, he is up there as a central striker with his compatriot.
4'
Cuadrado finds space down the right wing and eats up the ground before laying a pass into the channel for Zuniga. The right-back then gets into a great position before attempting a cross to the near post, but Amorebieta is well-positioned to turn behind for a corner, which James will be tasked with.
2'
The capacity of the El Teniente stadium is just over 15,000, which makes it one of the more conservative grounds in the Copa America, but the atmosphere being created by both sets of fans is absolutely fantastic! We should be in for a cracking match today, folks.
1'
WE ARE UNDER WAY AT ESTADIO EL TENIENTE!
Good evening football fans! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the Copa America Group C clash between Colombia and Venezuela from Estadio El Teniente!
Both nations will be hoping to make the best possible start to the tournament as they open up their Copa America campaign in Rancagua in central Chile. This match features Colombia from pot two, and Venezuela from pot four, which means the FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists head into the clash as favourites.
Jose Pekerman's side have seen their status rise over the past few years, and a good display in the World Cup a year ago means that they have been tipped alongside Argentina, Chile, and Brazil as potential finalists for the Copa America. Indeed, Colombia have won their last seven games on the bounce, so the confidence is sure to be flowing in the squad of Los Cafeteros.
Colombia's recent good form has seen a massive contribution coming from talismanic striker, Radamel Falcao. The former Atletico Madrid man has been on loan at Manchester United this season, but has failed to live up to expectations and is expected not to return to Old Trafford on a permanent basis. However, El Tigre has looked like a different player on the international stage, and has netted in his nation's last three matches. Can he keep up his impressive run of form in a Colombia shirt tonight?
The other two nations in Group C, who face each other this evening in Temuco, are Brazil and Peru. The fact that the Selecao are also in this group means that Colombia are sure to see tonight as perhaps a must-win match, considering their positions as favourites for the three points. It is certainly not going to be a walk in the park though, as Venezuela certainly have some talented players in their ranks to hurt them.
Pekerman has made two changes from Colombia's previous match, which was a 1-0 friendly win over Costa Rica eight days ago. Andrade and Jackson Martinez are withdrawn, and replacing them is the duo of Armero and Bacca. However, if the game isn't going their way, expect the Porto striker to make an appearance at some point.
Venezuela actually haven't played for a couple of months now, with their last clash coming against Peru in April. Still, from that clash there is two changes to the starting line-up, with Gonzalez and Martinez making way for Arango and Vargas. Influential striker, Salomon Rondon, starts up top.
Despite their arguably low status as one of the nations in the tournament, Venezuela are actually in pretty decent form themselves before the Copa America. Noel Sanvicente's outfit have claimed wins in three out of their past four matches, but these did come against opposition not quite to the same calibre as Colombia, in the form of Peru and Honduras, twice. La Vinotinto did remarkably make the semi-final in the last tournament four years ago, so they are by no means minnows even against this talented Colombia side.
With kick-off just moments away, we are greeted by two passionate renditions of the respective national anthems!
Half time in Rancagua. There is nothing between Colombia and Venezula so far in terms of scoreline as we enter the break in this Group C clash at a 0-0 stalemate. Jose Pekerman's men have enjoyed by the majority of possession, but have been unable to channel this domination of the ball into meaningful attacks on goal. La Vinotinto, on the other hand, have counterattacked well and have had the best two opportunities of the match through Vargas and Guerra. No goals yet, though! A very interesting second period in store!
FULL TIME IN RANCAGUA! Venezuela claim a fantastic opening win in their first Copa America match as they successfully overcome an abject Colombia side 1-0 at Estadio El Teniente. The winning goal came from Salomon Rondon on the hour mark after some lovely build up play involving Ronald Vargas and Alejandro Guerra. Jose Pekerman's outfit were no where near up to their usual standards on the night and they face an uphill task to qualify, still having to face Brazil in Group C. Venezuela will fancy their chances to make it through to the next round now, as they group is blown wide open! I'm Martin Macdonald, thanks for joining us, see you next time!
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