Sport : Argentina, Paraguay qualify for Copa America quarters

Caracas, July 3: Argentina beat Colombia 4-2 and Paraguay defeated the US by 3-1 to qualify for the quarterfinal stage of the Copa America football tournament.

With the wins Monday both the winners joined Mexico in the quarterfinals of the tournament, all of them with a game in hand.

Like last week against the US, Argentina saw its rival hit first, and Colombia's Edixon Perea heeled the ball home in the 10th minute.

Ten minutes later Hernan Crespo converted a penalty on Lionel Messi. The goal, Crespo's third in the Copa, was also the last of the striker's contribution to the game, as he had to leave the pitch with a muscle injury.

A Juan Roman Riquelme header left the score 2-1 in the 34th minute, and the talented Riquelme made it 3-1 with a free kick seconds into extra time.

The first half was entertaining and Argentina - billed as the top favourite to win the Copa America - played some good football. The second half, however, was slow and had little to offer.

A Jaime Castrillon header added some excitement leaving the score 3-2 in the 73rd minute, but Diego Milito - who had replaced Crespo -put the definitive 4-2 two minutes into extra time.

Argentine players unanimously praised the spirit of the team to get back into the match with an adverse score.

Earlier Monday in Barinas, Paraguay beat the US by 3-1.

Edgar Barreto put the score 1-0 in the 29th minute, after an assist from Oscar Cardozo. Ricardo Clark equalized five minutes before half-time, but the striker Cardozo made it 2-1 after 55 minutes of play.

With the match almost over, two minutes into extra time, substitute Salvador Cabanas scored his third goal in the Copa, with an excellent free kick.

Paraguay was simply much more efficient than the team fielded by US coach Bob Bradley. The US had the ball and enjoyed many chances, but only managed to net the ball once.

Paraguay now leads Group C with six points, the same as Argentina but with a better goal difference. Both the US and Colombia are yet to obtain their first point in the tournament.

In the final matches of the first round in Group C, Argentina will play Paraguay and the US will face Colombia.