Peru's Juan De La Haza (left) celebrates his team's third goal with teammates during their Copa America Group A match against Uruguay in Merida, Venezuela, on Tuesday night. Peru won 3-0. - AP PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela (Reuters):
PERU PRODUCED a shock3-0 win over Uruguay while Bolivia twice fought back to draw 2-2 with hosts Venezuela in a dramatic opening to the Copa America on Tuesday night.
Venezuela also had an injury-time penalty turned down as the tournament began under the watchful eye of President Hugo Chávez, the self-styled leftist revolutionary.
Chávez, flanked by Diego Maradona on one side and his close ally President Evo Morales of Bolivia on the other, was in San Cristobal to watch the official opening ceremony and Venezuela's first match.
Impressive attacking force
"Today, nobody will lose, we will all win because this is the same country, our South America, our America," said Chávez, who has warned of a plot by his opponents to sabotage the tournament.
Although the ceremony took place before the Venezuela-Bolivia game, the tournament had already kicked off with Peru's upset win over Uruguay in Merida.
Peru's impressive attacking force of Jefferson Farfan, Claudio Pizarro and Paolo Guerrero belied the team's reputation for ineffective football as they sliced through the Uruguayan defence in the Group A opener.
The Peruvians also matched the Uruguayans for tenacity as the tackles flew in from both teams.
Miguel Villalta headed Peru into the lead in the 27th minute from Farfan's cross before substitute Juan Carlos Marino surprised Fabian Carini as he whipped in the second in the 73rd.
Good work
Guerrero tapped in the third following good work by Andres Mendoza.
That goal was missed by millions of television viewers as the Venezuelan networks transmitting the game had cut to the opening ceremony in San Cristobal without any warning.
Venezuela twice led with goals from Giancarlo Maldonado in the 21st minute and Richard Paez in the 56th.
But an own goal by Alejandro Cichero put Bolivia level at half-time and Juan Carlos Arce's 84th-minute equaliser deprived Venezuela only their second win in the tournament's history.