Striker Radamel Falcao scored twice as Colombia beat Bolivia, 2-0, in Santa Fe, Argentina, to become the first team to reach the quarterfinals of the 2011 Copa America.
Falcao put the Colombians ahead after a quarter of an hour when he ran onto winger Dayro Moreno's defence-splitting ball down the left to steer it past Bolivian goalkeeper Carlos Arias.
The second goal came from the penalty spot in the 27th minute. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot when Pablo Amero was clearly brought down inside the box by the Bolivian defender Santos Amador, and Falcao stepped up to double his team's advantage. The Colombian players then rushed to the touchline in celebration to hold up an "Ospina" shirt, in tribute to the Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina, who was injured on the eve of the tournament.
It was the second penalty of the tournament and the second faced by Arias after he saved one from Costa Rica's Joel Campbell in Bolivia's 2-0 defeat in Jujuy on Thursday.
Falcao is now joint top scorer of a low-scoring tournament with two goals, equal with Peru's Paolo Guerrero.
Colombia took seven points from their three matches, the best return of the tournament so far, to qualify for a quarter-final against the best third-placed finisher team from the three groups in Cordoba next Saturday.
Colombia 2-0 Bolivia, Highlights:
Lineups:
Colombia: Martinez, Yepes, Perea, Armero, Zuniga, Aquilar, Ramos (Soto 77′), Dayro Moreno (Rodallega 45′), Guarin (Cuardrado 50′), Carlos Moreno, Falcao.
Bolivia: Arias, Raldes, Alvarez, Amador, Vargas, Robles, Campos, Garcia, Arce (Pedriel 70′), Moreno (Jimenez 60′), Hermoza (Vaca 45′).
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