Riquelme leads Argentina into Copa quarterfinals

Jul 3, 2007 - 4:51 AM MARACAIBO, Venezuela (Ticker) - Juan Roman Riquelme's first-half double fired Argentina into the quarterfinals of the Copa America with a 4-2 victory against 10-man Colombia on Monday.

Edison Perea handed Colombia the lead but Hernan Crespo's penalty kick and Riquelme's brace handed Argentina a convincing halftime lead.

Jaime Castrillon pulled a goal back for Colombia with 18 minutes remaining, but following Fabian Vargas' dismissal, Diego Milito sealed the victory in stoppage time.

Paraguay, which claimed a 3-1 United States earlier, tops Group C by virtue of goal difference ahead of next Thursday's decisive match against Argentina.

"We are happy because we did very well what coach Basile (Alfio) asked us," Riquelme said. "The team showed a lot of coolness in the difficult moments of the match and now we have to think about the future.

"I think Argentina played very well, as scoring eight times in two games is not an easy task. I'm very satisfied with the squad's performance."

Colombia made a nervous start to the match and Argentina came close to opening the scoring after just five minutes as Crespo's header from Riquelme's corner struck the crossbar and bounced down on the line before being scrambled clear.

Colombia recovered from the close call and Perea handed his side the lead from close range.

Argentina equalized with 20 minutes on the watch as Crespo converted from the spot after Lionel Messi had been awarded a disputed penalty.

Crespo surpassed Diego Maradona's goal-scoring tally of 34 to move into second place on Argentina's list, but was unable to add to the total after being replaced by Milito moments after converting from the spot.

Javier Zanetti crossed from the right for Riquelme to head his side into a 34th-minute lead before the Boca Juniors midfielder curled home a trademark free-kick from the edge of the area to hand Argentina a comfortable halftime lead.

Colombia goalkeeper Miguel Calero denied Milito before Castrillon reduced the deficit after 72 minutes.

Midfielder Javier Arizala came close to snatching an equalizer with five minutes remaining as his long-range effort beat Roberto Abbondanzieri but struck the post before Vargas picked up his second yellow card.

Milito wasted an opportunity to re-establish the two goals cushion before finally sealing the win in stoppage time.

Despite the victory, Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano was concerned by several defensive mistakes.

"We won an important match and played well," he said. "But we have to defend better after a corner kick. We didn't expect their first goal.

"It is very difficult to maintain the pace as the temperature makes it very tough. It is hot and we are always trying to attack and have the ball."

Colombia coach Jorge Pinto heaped blame on Brazilian referee Carlos Simon after handing Argentina a disputed first half penalty and dismissing Vargas in the closing stages.

"The penalty wasn't a penalty in any part of the world," Simon said. "It was a loose ball that wasn't going to do any damage in the defense. I think that some referees are afraid to give decisions against some of the South American giants."