COPA AMERICA: Colombia beat Costa Rica 1-0

Published: 03 Jul 2011 - 17:52:42

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COPA AMERICA: Colombia beat Costa Rica 1-0

ShareColombia kicked off their Copa America campaign with a 1-0 win over 10-man Costa Rica on Saturday. Adrian Ramos scored on the stroke of half-time, finally breaking through after Costa Rica's Randall Brenes was given a straight red in the 28th minute. That'll do nicely: Adrian Ramos is mobbed by team-mates of breaking the deadlock for Columbia The win fires Colombia to the top of Group A following a draw in the tournament's curtain-raise between Bolivia and Argentina, and leaves Costa Rica, who were invited to participate as guests in the South American championship, rock bottom. 'To start with a victory always gives you confidence,' Ramos said. 'It wasn't a clear victory, but the important thing is that we won.' Colombia were unimpressive, seldom dominating a short-handed team featuring mostly young, inexperienced players whose task was made all the harder when Brenes was punished for his vicious tackle. Tough ask: Randall Brenes was sent off midway through the first half for a rough challenge It took an individual piece of skill from Ramos to make the difference, latching onto to an incisive through pass befoe bamboozling goalkeeper Leonel Moreira and firing home with defenders trying in vain to cover. Star man Falcao, who has been linked with Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea, endured a disappointing night in front of goal and was withdrawn 13 minutes having only once gone close when his 57th-minute header struck the crossbar. No golden touch: In-demand Radamel Falcao failed to shine for Columbia and was substituted Costa Rica's Argentina-born coach Ricardo La Volpe said he was already looking ahead to Thursday's match against Bolivia. 'We have to win this game,' he said. 'We're going to work 30 per cent on defence and 70 per cent on attack.' Costa Rica were only named as a late entry in the tournament after Japan withdrew following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Argentina 1 Bolivia 1: Aguero saves hosts' blushes with late equaliser in Copa openerForget it! Chelsea and Man City now told ?40m sensation Neymar is going nowhere Copa America hit by scandal as Mexico suspend eight players over prostitute visitsHair-raising Neymar tops the Copa bill as new stars descend on Argentina Explore more:Places: Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia, Japan