Copa America hosts Venezuela moved to the top of Group A by blanking Peru 2-0 in San Cristobal on Saturday. Earlier in the night, D.C. United forward Jaime Moreno and Bolivia dropped to the bottom of the group following a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay.
Venezuela got the upper hand in the 14th minute when Peruvian midfielder Pedro Garcia was sent off for elbowing vinotinto forward Giancarlo Maldonado.
Alejandro Cichero made good on the hosts' man advantage in the 49th minute. The defender jumped highest to reach a Maldonado corner kick, heading it inside the right post.
Parity in manpower was restored in the 78th minute as Ricardo Paez was given his walking papers for a second yellow card, but the sending off did little to help the Peruvians, as Daniel Arismendi sealed their fate just a minute later with Venezuela's second.
The victory was Venezuela's first in Copa America since defeating Bolivia in 1967.
Uruguay had dropped their opening match 3-0 to Peru, but bounced right back in a sluggish match with Bolivia. Moreno was handed a place in the starting 11, but could do little for a Bolivian side that didn't muster much of an attack.
The Uruguayan attack wasn't much better, but Vicente Sanchez got the only goal his side would need in the 59th minute, poking home a cross that had been deflected by Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan at the goal line.
Venezuela now sits atop the group with four points, while Peru and Uruguay have three points, with Peru holding second place on goal difference. Bolivia is propping up the table with one point.
The group will be decided on July 4 in Merida. Peru and Bolivia meet at 6:35 p.m. ET, and Venezuela-Uruguay follows immediately afterward.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
