Santa Cruz hits hat-trick as Paraguay rout Colombia

Striker Roque Santa Cruz scored a hat-trick as Paraguay crushed Colombia 5-0 in the Copa America on Thursday.

Substitute Salvador Cabanas added two more in the last 10 minutes as Colombia fell into disarray.

The Group C game turned on a three-minute spell in the first half as Colombia missed a penalty and Santa Cruz put Paraguay in front.

After enjoying the better opening, Colombia were awarded a 28th-minute penalty for a foul on David Ferreira but Alvaro Dominguez squandered the chance with a weak shot which Justo Villar saved to his right.

Two minutes later, Santa Cruz broke clear down the left and timed his shot perfectly to beat goalkeeper Miguel Calero.

Paraguay extended their lead with an almost replica effort only 22 seconds in the second half.

Riveros set Santa Cruz racing away down the left and the Bayern Munich striker outpaced Ivan Ramiro Cordoba and flicked the ball past Calero with the outside of this right foot.

Colombia enjoyed a spell of pressure and Edixon Perea header was turned away by Villar, who also saved a venomous low drive from the same player shortly afterwards.

But Santa Cruz struck again in the 80th minute as he got away from Cordoba at the far post to head in a pinpoint cross from Carlos Bonet.

Five minutes later, striker Salvador Cabanas added a fourth with a shot from outside the area. As the Colombia defence went to pieces, Cabanas broke clear to add another in the 88th minute.