Striker Hernan Crespo equalled Diego Maradona’s Argentine goal count as the Copa America favourites beat the United States 4-1 on Thursday in one of two blowouts in Group C.
Roque Santa Cruz scored a hat-trick to lead Paraguay over Colombia 5-0, exposing a team which had come to this South American championship with its eyes on the title.
Uruguay will try to rebound from its 0-3 loss to Peru when it meets the relatively weak Bolivia at San Cristobal, while Peru will take on host Venezuela on Saturday after a day’s break in the tournament.
Only four members of the United States team that successfully defended the CONCACAF Gold Cup were available against Argentina - two as second-half substitutes - and they were outgunned by an Argentina side which is close to full strength.
After the US went ahead in the ninth minute with a penalty by Eddie Johnson, the Argentines quickly equalised as Crespo knocked home a loose ball after a free kick by Juan Roman Riquelme.
Argentina renewed offence in the second half, with Crespo scoring his record-equalling goal, followed by a charging header by substitute Pablo Aimar. Carlos Tevez, who started on the bench, added the fourth in the final minutes.
Crespo equalled Maradona’s 34 goals marked by the presence of Maradona himself at the game. Retired striker Gabriel Batistuta is Argentina’s all-time top scorer, with 56 goals.
“It’s an immense honour for me to equal the achievement of Diego,’’ Crespo said.
The win was an ideal start for Alfio Basile’s experienced squad, which is seeking its 15th Copa America title, breaking the tie on 14 titles it shares with Uruguay.
Ten minutes into the second half, the mostly Venezuelan crowd of 40,000 came to its feet and shouted “libertad, libertad, libertad” - Spanish for freedom - in defiance of President Hugo Chavez, who is a critic of the United States.
In the earlier match, Santa Cruz’ hat-trick saw Paraguay record its biggest ever win over Colombia, surpassing 3-0 victories in 1949, 1957 and 1985.
Second-half substitute Salvador Cabanas scored Paraguay’s last two goals in the final 10 minutes, when a tired Colombia defence had already collapsed.
Paraguay faces the United States in its next match on Monday in Barinas and Argentina stays in Maracaibo to take on Colombia the same day.