Copa America: Lionel Messi's Argentina stunned by Colombia in Salvador
A review of Saturday's action in the Copa America, as Argentina slumped to a 2-0 defeat in their opening match against Colombia.
Saturday results
- Peru 0-0 Venezuela (Group A)
- Argentina 0-2 Colombia (Group B)
Review & highlights
Argentina's hopes of winning the Copa America for the first time since 1993 suffered an early setback as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Colombia in their opening match.
The tournament's second favourites boasted a forward line of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria but neither managed to find the net in a desperately disappointing performance.
The deadlock was instead broken in the 71st minute by a world-class goal from Roger Martinez, who cut inside from the left corner of the box before firing home an unstoppable shot.
Colombia, the 2001 champions, then doubled their lead in the closing stages when substitute Duvan Zapata finished from close range just five minutes after coming on.
Argentina, the runners-up in 2015 and 2016, will be hoping for more from star man Messi in their next game against Paraguay on Friday.
Colombia, who celebrate their first win over Argentina in 12 years, will next face Qatar, one of the two guest nations at the tournament, on Thursday.
Venezuela held on for a 0-0 draw following the late dismissal of defender Luis Mago after Peru saw two goals ruled out in their Copa America Group A opener at the Gremio Arena.
Peru thought they had taken an early lead when Christofer Gonzales knocked the ball in after Venezuela goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez failed to deal with a free-kick. The goal, though, was eventually ruled out following a review by the Video Assistant Referee for a foul on Farinez.
Venezuela went close when West Brom forward Salomon Rondon diverted a cross goalwards from close range, but Pedro Gallese made a fine reaction save.
Peru saw another goal disallowed in the 64th minute when Jefferson Farfan headed in, but VAR ruled Edison Flores had been offside when he was played down the left to cross the ball.
Rondon then shot straight at the Peru goalkeeper when again well placed before, with 15 minutes left, Mago was sent off for a second yellow card following a poor challenge on substitute Andy Polo.
Farinez produced a brilliant reaction save to deny Peru substitute Flores after Farfan's shot had deflected across the six-yard box. The Venezuela keeper later tipped Flores' low effort onto the post to help secure a point.