Copa America Centenario: Cristian Zapata, James Rodriguez score in comfortable 2-0 victory for visitors

kicked off on Friday night with a giant clash between the hosts, the United States, and the group favorites, Colombia.

Colombia stormed to the top of Group A thanks to goals from Cristian Zapata and James Rodriguez. Despite a valiant effort from Jurgen Klinsmann's men, they failed to create chances to consistently threaten David Ospina in the Colombia goal.

Early, late blows for Americans

It didn't take long for the visitors to settle in as they were 1-0 up inside ten minutes thanks to a superb volley from Cristian Zapata. The defender met a corner kick after losing his marker with a run and slammed his shot past Brad Guzan to make it 1-0. Zapata's curling run through the area managed to confuse Geoff Cameron and provide the AC Milan man with plenty of room.

Jose Pekerman's side were the much more dominant side in the opening quarter of an hour and continued to test Guzan. Sebastian Perez's effort in the 15th minute kept the Aston Villa 'keeper on his toes with a diving save. Colombia forced Guzan into another save just five minutes later as Edwin Cardona's skill opened up space for a volley, which the goalkeeper saved well.

The United States did have a handful of moments in which their build up play around the opposition box opened up room for chances, but the Colombian backline managed to get back well and block any efforts in the opening half an hour. Clint Dempsey did fashion the best chance of the first half for the Americans, with ten minutes left in the first half, as he curled an effort from just outside the 18-yard box, but could only look on as his shot whistled past the post.

Clint Dempsey in action in the first half for the United States. (Source: Jim Malone/VAVEL)

The United States' hard work went to waste as Colombia were awarded a penalty on the stroke of halftime. DeAndre Yedlin was judged to have handled the ball inside the box after Farid Diaz's cross. James Rodriguez would step up and slot the ball into the left-hand corner to make it 2-0 to Colombia.

The United States' late spell in the first half was only diminished thanks to the controversial penalty awarded to the visitors. Despite being 2-0 down at the break, the hosts did enjoy the majority of the possession in the first 45 minutes.

The second half got underway in a similar fashion to the first with Colombia going close to a third. Carlos Bacca let a shot fly from distance, forcing Guzan to parry the effort in front of him but no Colombian could reach the follow up in time.

It was almost 2-1 on the hour mark but for a last-gasp clearance off the line from Sebastian Perez. Dempsey's powerful header from a corner was hooked away by Perez as Ospina went full stretch for the effort to keep the score at 2-0. Dempsey was close yet again four minutes later, this time curling a free kick over the wall, only to have Ospina push it away at the last second.

Bacca almost made it 3-0 with 15 minutes to go but after being slipped through behind the defense, he lifted his shot over Guzan and off the crossbar. Just a minute later, Dempsey went close at the other end but his shot deflected just wide.

With the 2-0 win, Colombia are top of Group A after the opening night of action. The defeat will hurt the United States but they did manage to play well in certain portions of the game. Colombia face Paraguay next while the United States host Costa Rica.