Changchun Yatai's Moreno fires Bolivia to victory over Ecuador

Bolivia striker Marcelo Moreno praised his team's fighting spirit after outlasting a late Ecuador revival to win a pulsating Copa America Group A match 3-2 on Monday.

Moreno, who plays for Changchun Yatai in the Chinese Super League, scored one goal and created another as Mauricio Soria's team took a huge step towards progressing to the next phase of the tournament.

"Ecuador have a great team but we showed that we can lift to another level," Moreno said after the match.

The 27-year-old former Werder Bremen and Wigan Athletic forward provided the pass to Martin Smedberg that led to Bolivia's second goal following Ronald Raldes' opener at Estadio Elias Figueroa Brander.

Moreno then gave his team a 3-0 lead by converting from the penalty spot after Damian Lizio was upended by Frickson Erazo just before halftime.

Second-half goals from Ecuador's Enner Valencia and Miller Bolanos ensured a tense finale but Bolivia survived to win their first Copa America match since 1997.

"I think we showed we were able to match it with them, man for man," said Moreno, who has scored four goals in 10 matches for Changchun Yatai since joining the club from Brazil's Gremio in April.

"In the second half Ecuador had most of the attacking chances. There was the danger that they might get an equalizer but we showed great character and fighting spirit to hold them off."

Having held Mexico to a 0-0 stalemate in their tournament opener, Bolivia need only to draw their final group match against hosts Chile on Friday to progress to the next phase. Endi