Roque Santa Cruz struck a brilliant hat-trick, while Cabanas came off from the bench with five minutes to go to score twice.

Chances were few during the first half as Colombia struggled to find their rhythm and impose themselves on Paraguay.

Hugo Rodallega saw his effort well saved by Paraguayan goalkeeper Justo Villar while Edison Perea could not connect to a David Ferreira pass.

In the 26th minute, Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda gave Colombia a penalty after a foul by Juan Daniel Caceres on Ferreira.

Alvaro Dominguez' stepped up to take the spot-kick but he saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Justo Villar.

Three minutes later things got worse for Jorge Luis Pinto's side when Roque Santa Cruz took advantage of a defensive mistake to open the scoring.

Gerardo Martino's side didn't give Colombia many chances to react after that and just one minute into the second half, Paraguayan star Roque Santa Cruz doubled the advantage after shaking off Inter defender Ivan Cordoba before scoring.

From there Paraguay struggled in the midfield and rarely managed to break forward while Colombia had a few chances to reduce the deficit.

Edison Perea wasted a chance in the 65th minute, when his weak shot from inside the box was well controlled by Villar, who then stopped a Perea's header.

But 10 minutes before the final whistle, Roque Santa Cruz completed his magnificent hat-trick with a header.

And then came America's forward Salvador Cabanas turn as he came off the bench to score twice in less than three minutes to complete the victory for Paraguay.

Next Monday, Paraguay will tackle the United States in Barinas while Colombia will face giants Argentina.