Roundup: Brazil, Peru, Colombia progress; Venezuela ousted at Copa America

Thiago Silva and Roberto Firmino scored either side of halftime as Brazil defeated a fast-finishing Venezuela 2-1 to secure top spot in the Copa America's Group C on Sunday.

Brazil looked to be cruising to victory at Estadio Monumental before late Venezuela substitute Miku scored with four minutes remaining.

The Rayo Vallecano striker then had a golden chance to equalize in injury time but failed to make contact with a tantalizing Josef Martinez cross that floated inches over his head.

The result ended Venezuela's tournament and allowed Colombia to advance as one of the competition's two best third-place finishers.

The other teams eliminated were Jamaica, Mexico and Ecuador.

Brazil will now prepare to meet Paraguay next Saturday while Colombia face Group B winners Argentina on Friday.

The other quarterfinals will be played between hosts Chile and Uruguay on Wednesday and Bolivia and Peru on Thursday.

Both Venezuela and Brazil showed their scoring intent early as the game began at a hectic pace.

Gabriel Cichero headed over the bar for Venezuela and Philippe Coutinho saw a shot deflected behind off Luis Seijas.

Brazil opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Silva's sweet first-time volley from a Robinho corner cannoned into the top of Alain Baroja's net.

Then it was Robinho's turn to threaten but his half volley from a Dani Alves pass flew over the top.

Brazil continued to press and Baroja stonewalled a fizzing Filipe Luis drive before turning a shot from Willian behind the post.

Baroja was again called into action just after the interval, denying Thiago Silva with a low save after Willian's corner.

But the Venezuela stopper was powerless to prevent the Selecao doubling their lead two minutes later.

Alves's diagonal ball found Luis, who rolled a perfectly weighted pass to his Chelsea teammate Willian. The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder careered to the byline and delivered a sumptuous cross to Firmino, who tapped in from point-blank range with Baroja flat-footed.

Venezuela didn't relent and Juan Arango twice drew Jefferson into diving saves from set pieces.

Second-half substitute Cesar Gonzales also had two clear chances; first seeing his goal-ward shot blocked by Miranda and then blazing over the bar.

David Luiz was introduced in the 67th minute and his impact was almost immediate. The Paris Saint-Germain man centre-back latched onto a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick that Baroja managed to keep out.

Venezuela ensured a tense finale when Miku pegged a goal back following another Arango free-kick.

The Venezuela captain's dipping shot was parried clear by Jefferson before a diving Miku headed in the rebound.

A 72nd-minute replacement for Alejandro Guerra, Miku will perhaps still be ruing his failure to put La Vinotinto ahead in the first minute of stoppage time.

The 29-year-old was somehow unable to connect with Martinez's head-high cross, which seemed to drift by the far post in slow motion.

Earlier, Peru and Colombia both failed to inspire in a dour stalemate at Estadio German Becker in Temuco.

Los Cafeteros captain Radamel Falcao was again benched in the second half after struggling to make an impact. The Manchester United forward's best chance was a low shot in the opening minutes that was saved by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Colombia dominated possession but were unable to find a way through Peru's defence as Ricardo Gareca's team played for a draw.

Jose Pekerman's side had two late chances; Jackson Martinez forced a diving save from Gallese and then Juan Cuadrado fired over the bar. But Peru held on to secure the point they needed to progress to the knockout phase.

Colombia midfielder Edwin Valencia was carried off in the first half with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. Endi