Copa America - Group C
Result: Colombia 0-1 Venezuela
Date: 14 June 2015
Venue: El Teniente
Colombia got their Copa America campaign off to a poor start, as they went down 1-0 to Venezuela in their Group C tie on Sunday evening.
Venezuela could have gone ahead after 11 minutes when Alejandro Guerra broke free down the left, before teeing up Salomon Rondon, who failed to connect with the goal at his mercy.
David Ospina had to be at his best in the 16th minute, as the Colombian goalkeeper pulled off a fine save to deny Guerra from six-yards out.
The Colombian was called into action 10 minutes later, this time thwarting Vargas from point-blank range, after the some good work by the Colombian winger down the left flank.
Ospina proved to be the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half and he was called upon just before the halftime break, diving to his left to keep out Guerra's acrobatic effort from the edge of the area.
Venezuela eventually broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when the impressive Rondon rose highest to head home in the far corner beyond a helpless Ospina.
Colombia pushed for the equaliser in the second half and were nearly rewarded in the 77th minute but Baroja was on hand to keep out James Rodriguez's long range effort, before he palmed away Edwin Cardona's strike seconds later.
The Colombians should have been level in the 85th when minute Jackson Martinez picked out Juan Cuadrado with a knock down but the Chelsea winger volleyed wide of the mark from six-yards out.
However, Jose Pekerman's side could bypass a stubborn Venezuela defence and begin the campaign with a loss.
