Play was to return to Lima yesterday, with defending champion and Group A leader Colombia tackling Bolivia, and Peru opposing Venezuela.
South America's soccer federation fined Venezuela US$3,000 for changing the jersey numbers of two players in the team's opening game against Colombia on Tuesday.
Venezuela had listed striker Massimo Margiotta as No. 22 in a roster submitted before kickoff, but he took the field wearing No. 10, and midfielder Pedro de Pablos sported No. 22 in the team's 1-0 loss opener to Colombia.
Argentina's press has been increasingly critical of the national team and coach Marcelo Bielsa recently. But on Thursday, Buenos Aires newspapers heaped praise on Bielsa and his players after their 6-1 win over Ecuador at the Copa America.
"A festival of good soccer and goals," headlined Clarin, Argentina's largest daily. "The team finally showed style."
Another in La Nacion, a Buenos Aires newspaper, blared: "The national team is again a fiesta!"
Striker Javier Saviola, who stars at FC Barcelona, was obviously singled out for scoring three goals in 15 minutes during Wednesday night's game.
"Saviola ... a genius," said the sports daily Ole.
Many sports commentators have said anything less than the title in Peru could spell the end of Bielsa's tenure. He took over the team in 1999, making his debut at the Copa America that year.
Fans still haven't forgiven Bielsa and Argentina for its disastrous showing at the 2002 World Cup finals. A pre-tournament favorite, Argentina played poorly and was knocked out in the first round.
Bielsa has brought many veterans from the 2002 World Cup team to Peru, including Wolfsburg's Andres D'Alessandro, Cesar Delgado of Cruz Azul, and Inter's Cristian Gonzalez.
On Wednesday, Argentina dropped from FIFA's top-10 rankings for the first time since 1998, slipping from sixth to 11th.



