America crumble under pressure

Thursday 28 June 2007 Venezuela
Argentina 4-1 USA

USA found the going too tough and suffered a 4-1 defeat against the South American favourites.
The Americans took the lead in the 9th minute when Eddie Johnson tucked away his penalty kick with aplomb. Argentina were on level terms 3 minutes later when Crespo scored from close-range after a deceptive free kick had caused confusion in the American defence. A fierce shot from Veron was touched onto the bar by Keller in the 42nd minute. Crespo finally put Argentina ahead with a crisp finish in the 64th minute, and in the 78th minute Aimar ran onto a cross to steer the ball past Keller with a decisive header. Substitute Tevez beat the offside trap and found the back of the net with an accurate shot in the 85th minute to give Argentina an emphatic 4-1 win.

Paraguay Cruise past Colombia

Thursday 28 June 2007 Venezuela
Paraguay 5-0 Colombia

Roque Santa Cruz scored a hat-trick to put Paraguay on their way to a 5-0 mauling of Colombia.
Colombia could have taken the lead in the 26th minute when they were awarded a soft penalty, but Villar saved the spot kick from Dominguez and 2 minutes later Santa Cruz broke through to side-foot the ball past Calero in the Colombian goal. Almost straight from kick off in the second half, Santa Cruz ran onto a through ball, held off his marker and toe-poked the ball past the keeper to double the lead. Perea tested Villar twice before Santa Cruz headed the ball in at the far post for his hat-trick. Salvador Cabanas replaced Santa Cruz and made immediate impact when he stroked the ball home in the 85th minute, and 2 minutes later when he found himself alone with the keeper there was only one winner.