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Last Updated: Sunday, 1 July 2007, 07:48 GMT 08:48 UK
Historic win sends Venezuela top

All the latest news from the Copa America in Venezuela.

GROUP A: VENEZUELA 2-0 PERU

Daniel Arismendi celebrates his goal for Venezuela
Arismendi's goal capped a fine run

Venezuela recorded a first Copa America win in 40 years to take top spot in Group A.

Peru's hopes were hit by Pedro Garcia's 15th-minute red card, the first in the tournament, after he elbowed Giancarlo Maldonado in a tussle the Venezuelan started.

The hosts finally made their numerical advantage tell early in the second half when Alejandro Cichero headed in.

In an increasingly fractious match, Peru were aggrieved when Chelsea new boy Claudio Pizarro appeared to be tripped in the box, with the goal gaping, but did not win a penalty.

And despite having midfielder Richard Pez sent off for a second bookable offence, Venezuela wrapped up the points with a low finish from Daniel Arismendi on 79 minutes.

  • Venezuela coach Richard Paez:
    "This result has made history.

    "For seven years, we have been fighting for everybody's respect and today we achieved it."

  • Peru coach Julio Cesar Uribe:
    "Venezuela did very little, we created five or six clear scoring chances in the second half.

    "The sending off influenced the outcome but we have to accept it as part of football."

    GROUP A: URUGUAY 1-0 BOLIVIA

    Uruguay players celebrate Vicente Sanchez's winner
    Sanchez's strike settled a poor game in Group A

    Uruguay shrugged off their shock opening defeat at the hands of Peru with a 1-0 victory over Bolivia.

    Mexican-based striker Vicente Sanchez scrambled the only goal in the 58th minute on a wet and windy afternoon in the Venezuelan Andes.

    The breakthrough came when a Diego Perez cross found an otherwise largely ineffective Diego Forlan, who touched the ball into the path of Sanchez to score from close range.

    Bolivia, who were left with one point from two games, played lots of neat football in midfield but had to wait until injury time for their only real chance.

    But Uruguay goalkeeper Fabian Carini did well to turn over Sacha Lima's venomous long-range shot to maintain their advantage and draw level with Peru on three points.

  • Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez
    "Bolivia held on to the possession of the ball and in many respects played better than us but this isn't a beauty contest."



  • SEE ALSO
    Tevez nets in Argentina victory
    29 Jun 07 |  Internationals
    Brazil beaten as shocks continue
    28 Jun 07 |  Internationals
    Peru shock Uruguay in Copa opener
    27 Jun 07 |  Internationals
    Tim Vickery column
    25 Jun 07 |  Internationals
    Football tries to tackle Venezuela
    25 Jun 07 |  Americas
    S America urges Fifa to lift ban
    15 Jun 07 |  Americas


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