The South American football championship is off to a surprising start with unexpected results from the first two matches. 14-time Copa America winner Uruguay, bookies’ 4th favourite for winning the trophy, lost 0:3 to Peru. An even bigger shock came from the tournament host Venezuela’s first game – a heartbreaking 2:2 against the Group A outsiders Bolivia.

Argentine legend Diego Armando Maradona, Venezuela president Hugo Chavez and Bolivian president Evo Morales kicked off the tournament in front of a crowd of 43 000 who attended the Venezuela and Bolivia match at the Pueblo Nuevo stadium in San Cristobal. “Today, nobody will lose, we will all win, because this is the same country, our South America, our America,” said Chavez, who has spoken of a “plot” by his opponents to sabotage the tournament.

It was a very nice opening ceremony - short but colourful, full of positive feelings. But the game left opposite feelings among the home supporters. The Bolivians had the last word as Juan Carlos Arce silenced the crowd with a second equaliser seven minutes from time. Venezuela took the lead with a goal from Giancarlo Maldonado in the 21st minute and an own goal by Litex Lovech defender Alejandro Cichero put the score level at half time. Man of the match Ricardo Paez put Venezuela in front 2:1 in the 55th minute with a classy finish. But Venezuela paid for a series of missed opportunities as Bolivia’s young striker Arce finished a Gonzalo Galindo’s pass in the 83rd minute to share the points. The Venezuelans claimed a penalty when Jorge Vargas was upended by Gualberto Mojica in injury-time but a goal kick was awarded.

Brazil is the big favourite in Group B against the opposition Mexico, Chile and Ecuador. Offensive magicians Robinho and Diego both promised that they were ready to replace Kaka and Ronaldinho, who said they were too tired to play at the tournament. “It’s the time for our generation. I know that if Brazil don’t do well, the criticism will rain down upon me,” Robinho said.

In Group C bookies’ favourites Argentina begin their Copa America journey desperate to ultimately inflict revenge on Brazil after their defeat in the final three years ago. Adriano’s injury-time goal helped the Selecao even the score at 2:2 in Peru and then win on penalties against their arch rivals. Argentina is boosted this time around by the return of Juan Roman Riquelme to the national team, reversing the decision he made last year to hang up his international boots because his mother was affected by criticism of him. “Now, my mother and I are happy,” Riquelme said.