Venezuela inflict shock 1-0 Copa America defeat on Colombia

Venezuela pulled off the biggest shock of the Copa America so far, with Salomon Rondo’s second half header proving the winner for Noel Sanvicente's side against Colombia.

Having made such an impression at least summer’s World Cup - carrying a seven-match winning run into the Copa - Colombia are billed as one of the tournament favourites in Chile, but they struggled to make an impression in their opening game.

James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao, Carlos Bacca and Juan Cuadrado all failed to impose themselves on the contest, with Venezuela the more dangerous on the counter attack.

And they found what proved to be the winner after 60 minutes, when Rondon found the bottom corner with a well-placed header from a Juan Arango cross.

27’ SAVED WITH HIS FACE! Arango flicked a wonderful through ball in behind the Colombian backline for Vargas to run on to, but Ospina made the stop from a tight angle with his face.

42’ GOOD SAVE FROM OSPINA! Some nice play from Venezuela sets up Guerra for the acrobatic turn and shot from the edge of the box, but the Colombia goalkeeper tips it round the post.

60’ GOAL! Colombia 0 Venezuela 1: We have a breakthrough! Arango played a cross to the back post for Guerra to knock on and Rondon to flick past Ospina with a headed finish.

65’ GOOD CHANCE: Another opportunity for Venezuela! This time Colombia are undone down the left side, with a cross played into Vargas. But he can't quite make the connection and Ospina gathers in the end.

76’ WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY! James threaded through a pass to Gutierrez, who looked to be in with his first touch. But he hesitated too long and Tunez makes the block at the near post.

82’ INCREDIBLE SAVE! James lets rip from the best part of 25 yards, with his strike taking a deflection on its way through on goal. But the Venezuelan keeper Baroja makes the diving save.

83’ AND AGAIN FROM BAROJA! This was an even better save from the Venezuelan goalkeeper. Cardona fired an effort towards the near post, but the goalie makes an astonishing reflex stop.

84’ HOW HASN'T HE SCORED?! Oh my word. Zapata really should have scored. He was on hand at the back post to finish a cross, but he somehow sent it wide with a shinner of a shot. Wow.

On the face of it, Colombia have one of the best attacking frontlines in this year’s Copa America. But against Venezuela the trio of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Carlos Bacca failed to show any sort of understanding, as Colombia failed to make any real impression in their opening group fixture. Could Jackson Martinez be handed a start for the next match against Brazil?

The veteran striker scored the winning goal, flicking on a header into the bottom corner from a Juan Arango cross into the penalty area, but Rondon’s overall performance was about more than just the decisive moment. He gave Colombia problems all the way through the game and was instrumental in helping Venezuela play out what was an impressive win.

Colombia - Opsina 6, Zuniga 5, Zapata 5, Murillo 6, Armero 5, Sanchez 6, Valencia 6, Cuadrado 6, James 5, Bacca 5, Falcao 6. Subs - Cardona 6, Martinez 5, Gutierrez 6.

Venezuela - Baroja 7, Rosales 5, Vizcarrondo 6, Tunez 6, Amorebieta 5, Seijas 6, Rincon 7, Guerra 7, Arango 8, Vargas 7, Rondon 8. Subs - Cichero, Gonzalez, Lucena.