Bolivia probably deserved a favorable result in Merida, but the Chelsea striker Claudio Pizarro kept Peru in the race with an equalizing goal scored with five minutes to go through.

"With a little extra luck we could've qualified," said Bolivian coach Erwin Sanchez. "But we're going with our heads held high because nobody was able to crush us, nobody steamrolled past us. It was just this one late goal that eliminated us”.

Despite their qualification Peru national coach Julio Cesar Uribe is not happy with his team.

"The group was not up to the task during many segments in the game, especially in the first half," Peru national coach Julio Cesar Uribe admitted, and he promised improvements for the quarterfinals.

In the second match of Group A, Uruguay played out a goalless draw with host Venezuela - already qualified.

Mexico, Paraguay, Argentina, Venezuela, Peru and Uruguay have already secured a place in the next round. Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and the United States still have a chance to advance, each with a game in hand.

Group B concludes Wednesday with Mexico versus Chile, and Brazil versus Ecuador.