Copa America: COVID-plagued Venezuela salvage draw vs Colombia

Venezuela held out under intense pressure in a fractious local derby against Colombia to secure their first point at the Copa America after a 0-0 draw in Goiania on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez made a string of fine saves, particularly in the closing stages, to keep out the Colombians, who saw a late Miguel Borja goal ruled out for offside.

Colombia also finished the game with 10 men after Luis Diaz was sent off deep into injury time.

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Earlier, Venezuela’s Jose Martinez got away with a yellow card after striking Mateus Uribe — who was also booked for protesting — in the face, although he was not looking at the Colombian when he did so.

Colombia finished the game with 23 shots to just two — including none on target — from Venezuela but the “Red Wine” held out for a much needed point.

Venezuela were still severely depleted from a COVID-19 outbreak in their camp that deprived the team of eight players in their 3-0 defeat to hosts Brazil on Sunday.

The point put Colombia top of Group B ahead of Brazil’s clash with Peru later in the day.