Colombia got their Copa America campaign off to a winning start in the early hours of the morning, beating Ecuador 1-0 in Cuiaba, Brazil – but Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos had to watch from the bench after being named among the substitutes.
Edwin Cardona’s 42nd-minute strike was the difference between the two sides as South America’s equvalent of the Euros got underway yesterday.
The Rangers star, who could have missed the competition after testing positive for Covid-19 in the build-up, had to settle for playing second fiddle to Rafael Santos Borré and Miguel Borja in Reinaldo Rueda’s side.
The Colombians have only won the competition once before, in 2001, and will be hoping to get their hands on it again this year after being stripped of hosting duties.
Rangers star hoping to benefit from legends’ absence
Colombia and Argentina were due to host the competition until it was moved at the last minute by CONMEBOL.
Morelos, who has one goal in his ten appearances for Colombia will be desperate to add to his tally with national legends James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao both missing.
Next up for the Rangers star and his international team-mates is a clash with Venezuela on Thursday night before fixtures with Peru and Brazil to complete the group stage.
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