DHAKA: Colombia has beaten the US men’s national football team in the opening match of Copa America Centenario tournament by two goals to nil.
The match was played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara of San Francisco in USA.
Cristian Zapata scored with a volley off a corner kick to give Colombia the early lead in the 8th minute of the match.
Later, DeAndre Yedlin of USA committed a handball in the box and Colombia was awarded a penalty.
James Rodríguez stepped up and converted the penalty to put Colombia up 2-0 in the 41st minute.
US men’s national team was trailing behind 2-0 in the first half. In the second half, they played heart and soul to score.
Clint Dempsey put his free kick over the wall and on goal, but Colombian goal keeper David Ospina made a terrific save in the 63rd minute.
US coach Jürgen Klinsmann made a double change in the 66th minute to inject fresh legs. Darlington Nagbe came on for Jermaine Jones while Christian Pulisic comes on for Bobby Wood.
But, the efforts could not change the result and 29th ranked US men’s team left the field losing the opening match to 4th ranked Colombia.
Cristian Zapata and James Rodriguez ensure a winning start to Colombia's Copa campaign, but it's back to the drawing board for the USA as they're humbled in their Group A opener on home soil.
Up next for the Cafeteros is Paraguay, while Klinsmann's side head to Chicago for a date with fellow CONCACAF side Costa Rica.
This year’s Copa America, pitting 16 teams against each other in a round-robin group stage and three finals stages, is a special edition diverting from the usual four-year cycle of the tournament.
The organization came about as a result of cooperation between the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) aimed at celebrating the latter’s hundredth anniversary.
The last regular Copa America was held in 2015, won by Chile.
The tournament’s schedule will clash with UEFA EURO 2016, which will be held June 10-July 10.
BDST: 1025 HRS, JUN 04, 2016
SR
