This Copa America has turned predictions upside down and this was ne’er truer as Venezuela shocked a Colombia side boasting the likes of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, Carlos Bacca, and Juan Cuadrado. Such is Los Cafeteros’s embarrassment of attacking riches that Jose Pekerman could afford to leave Teofilo Gutierrez and Jackson Martinez on the bench. The match showed a Venezuelan side showing no signs of being overawed as they played attacking and free flowing football.

David Ospina was put under pressure through Ronald Vargas, Alejandro Guerra, and the imposing Salomon Rondon. At the other end, the Colombians toiled to break down a tenacious backfield anchored by Luis Seijas as Oswaldo Vizcarrando and Andres Tunez, the centre backs did not allow Falcao and Bacca to break free. There was just the hint an upset was very much on the cards.

In the 58th minute, the canny veteran Juan Arango raced down the right flank into the box to collect Roberto Rosales’s free throw before the Colombian defence could fully react. Wheeling around he sent a cross met on the first bounce by Guerra whose header was dispatched by Rondon with a perfectly timed flick of the head to the far post. The Zenit striker had come close to giving Venezuela the lead minutes before as his header hit the cross bar.

Colombia’s expected comeback stalled as Alain Baroja brought off two superb saves in a matter of seconds to first parry Rodriguez’s swerving left footed attempt and then flashing a hand out to deflect Edwin Cardona’s near post blast. Off the corner, the ball was headed in the direction of the unmarked Cristian Zapata with the goal wide open but he was unable to steer the ball into goal.

This was La Vinotinto’s first victory over Colombia in the history of the tournament and just their sixth win overall against their neighbours. As for Colombia, their next match will be against 8 time winner Brazil and they could be without Rodriguez who appeared to hurt his shoulder badly.