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HOUSTON, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rica defeated Colombia 3-2 in the Copa America in Houston's NRG Stadium on Saturday night, ending Group A play in the leading global soccer tournament being held in the United States this year.
The first goal was scored by Johan Venegas who put Costa Rica up 1-0 with a 20-yard strike to the upper left hand corner in the second minute. Costa Rica took the lead when Venegas crossed the ball into the box from the left and Colombia's Frank Fabra accidentally ran into it and knocked it into the net as he fell to the ground for an own goal in the 34th minute. Celso Borges of Costa Rica scored from 15 yards out in the 58th minute to extend the team's lead to 3-1.
Frank Fabra and Marlos Moreno scored Colombia's two goals. And it was Moreno who cut it to 3-2 with a strike to the near post in the 73rd minute.
Colombia had already advanced before this match, earning a berth in the quarterfinals with a win over Paraguay on Tuesday and Costa Rica was eliminated from contention with the United States' 1-0 victory over Paraguay earlier on Saturday. The loss makes Colombia's path in the tournament more difficult as the team will likely face Brazil in New Jersey because of the loss.
The United States benefited from Costa Rica's victory, with Colombia's loss giving the team first place in Group A.
