Colombia earn crucial win over Ecuador, Uruguay lose to Peru

Colombia have revitalized their 2010 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ecuador, while Uruguay suffered a painful 1-0 defeat by last-placed Peru.

The match between Colombia and Ecuador, played at Medellin’s Atanasio Girardot stadium, was mostly uneventful. The first major highlight came three minutes after the break when Ecuador’s Pablo Palacios received a second yellow card for simulation.

Ecuador actually improved from here on, but it was Colombia to finally break the deadlock in the 79th minute. On his debut, Jackson Martinez ran on to a through-ball and struck it past keeper Cevallos for 1-0.

Teofilo Gutierrez added a second four minutes into added time.

Last-placed Peru earned a surprising 1-0 win over Uruguay. The only goal of the match was scored by Hernan Rengifo in the 86th minute. Four minutes later, Uruguay’s Diego Godin picked up a red card.

Colombia climb from seventh to fifth place, surpassing Ecuador on goal record. Uruguay are now seventh, two points behind their two rivals.