Hernan Crespo scored twice as Argentina cruised to a 4-1 over the United States in Venezuela, yesterday. Kansas City Wizards striker Eddie Johnson opened the scoring after just 8-minutes -- pacing the USA to an early lead in their first-ever Copa America appearance. Johnson, having run onto a brilliant through-ball from Benny Feilhaber, was taken-down in the box by Gabriel Milito and awarded a penalty. His subsequent goal, however, was canceled by Crespo's first of the night just 4-minutes later. The two sides remained level until just after the hour-mark when things finally clicked for the Argentineans. Crespo's second goal, on 64-minutes, was the 34th of his international career -- tying Diego Maradona's total for Argentina. Esteban Cambiasso was substituted in favor of Pablo Aimar in the 58th-minute; and Aimar responded by tallying in the 78th-minute. With Argentina 3-1 up, Lionel Messi made way for Carlos Tevez. Manager Alfio Basile's golden touch with his substitions continued as Tevez struck Argentina's 4th-goal on the night with 5-minutes remaining in normal time. Argentina will face Columbia on Monday while the United States will play their next game against Paraguay.
American Bob Bradley will, no doubt, have his hands full. Paraguay eased past Columbia on Thursday afternoon -- riding a natural hat-trick from Roque Santa Cruz. Still, Columbia were very much alive in the match through the opening 45-minutes. Their bright start reached its peak at 26-minutes when Alvaro Dominguez took to the penalty -spot -- David Ferreira having been brought down in the box. Dominguez' weak effort was saved by Justo Villa, however; and Santa Cruz opened the floodgates for Paraguay just 4-minutes later. The Bayern Munich striker doubled the lead just after the interval before both sides settled for the balance of the 2nd-half. Santa Cruz completed his hat-trick 10-minutes from time; and Club America forward Salvador Cabanas added 2-goals within a 3-minute period just before the final whistle
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