Colombia beats Paraguay in Copa America opener, extends winning streak to 9

Daniel Munoz scored in the 32nd minute and Jefferson Lerma in the 42nd as Colombia opened the Copa America with a 2-1 victory over Paraguay on Monday night in Houston that extended its winning streak to nine.

Colombia, which had 66 per cent possession, is unbeaten in 24 games since a 1-0 loss at Argentina in a World Cup qualifier on Feb. 1, 2022, winning 19 and drawing five.

James Rodriguez set up both Colombia goals in his 101st international match, which drew a pro-Colombia crowd of 67,059 to NRG Stadium.

Julio Enciso scored Paraguay’s goal in the 69th minute.

Colombia plays Costa Rica on Friday at Glendale, Ariz., and Brazil on July 2 at Santa Clara, California. Paraguay finishes Group D against Brazil on Friday at Las Vegas and Costa Rica on July 2 in Austin, Texas.

Colombia won the title in 2001 and lost to Argentina on penalty kicks in a 2021 semifinal. Paraguay won in 1953 and 1979 and was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the last two editions.

Rodriguez picked out a long cross to Munoz for an open eight-yard header, Munoz’s second goal in 28 international appearances. Lerma scored on a glancing header from the middle of the penalty area on Rodriguez’s free kick.

Rodrigo Morinigo, a 25-year-old goalkeeper, made his national team debut after Carlos Coronel started in June friendlies against Chile and Panama.

Enciso scored his first goal for Paraguay, beating Davinson Sanchez to Ramon Sosa’s cross at the far post and redirecting the ball past goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.

Colombia was awarded a penalty kick by referee Dario Herrera of Argentina in the 84th minute after Gustavo Velazquez held the shirt of Yerry Mina in the penalty area but the call was reversed in a video review.