Santa Cruz scored on 30, 46 and 80 minutes while and substitute Salvador Cabanas added the rest on 85 and 88.

Colombia missed the opportunity of opening the score after 25 minutes when midfielder Alvaro Dominguez squandered a penalty, striking the ball too lightly to the right of goalkeeper Justo Villar, who made the save with ease.

This fright set the Paraguayans into action and they began to pile the pressure on the Colombians. As a result of this change, Santa Cruz managed to take the lead after being teed up by Edgar Barreto.

This goal did not change the attitude of the Colombians, who continued to set a slow pace in midfield, despite the efforts of David Ferreira, the only player to try his luck against the Paraguayan goal.

The Paraguayans began the second half in top speed and two minutes after the break, striker Santa Cruz grabbed a brace to make it 2-0.

The Colombians tried to hit back playing deep, but left gaps behind for their opponents, who played on the counter. That was how Santa Cruz claimed a hattrick with a header.

The third goal dismounted the Colombian team. The players did not know what to do to react to the unexpected 3-0 score, and the Paraguayans made the most of their indecision to add a fourth with Cabanas, who replaced Oscar Cardozo, on 70 minutes.

The same Cabanas closed the scoring two minutes before the end of the match to seal the victory.

TEAMS
Paraguay: Justo Villar, Dario Veron, Julio Cesar Caceres, Paulo da Silva, Carlos Bonet, Edgar Barreto, Cristian Riveros, Claudio Morel, Jonathan Santana (Enrique Vera, 79), Roque Santa Cruz (Dante Lopez, 84) and Oscar Cardozo (Salvador Cabanas, 70).

Colombia: Miguel Calero, Gerardo Vallejo, Ivan Cordoba, Mario Yepes, Javier Arizala (Vladimir Marin, 63), Alvaro Dominguez (Macnelly Torres, 56), John Viafara, Fabian Vargas, David Ferreira, Hugo Rodallega (Luis Gabriel Rey, 76) and Edixon Perea.

Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).