CHICLAYO, July 13: Nolberto Solano scored with a superb free kick and set up another goal three minutes later as Peru fought back to draw 2-2 with Colombia in the Copa America on Monday.

Peru had qualified for the quarterfinals minutes before kick-off, Bolivia's 1-1 draw with Venezuela in the first half of the double bill in Trujillo ensuring the hosts would finish in the top two top of group A.

Ecuador coach Hernan Dario Gomez back-tracked on his threat to quit while transport arrangements were thrown into chaos as the Transport Ministry grounded Aero Continente, the country's largest airline.

Colombia, who qualified last Friday, were set for a repeat of their 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Lima in March after Edwin Congo headed them in front in the 33rd minute and Abel Aguilar swept home the second shortly after halftime.

This time, however, Peru hit back and produced a repeat of their opening match when they came from two goals behind to draw by the same score with Bolivia. Solano, who plays for English premier league side Aston Villa, sparked the fight-back by curling in a 57th-minute free kick, the first goal defending champions Colombia have conceded in the Copa since 1999 in a run stretching back eight matches.

Three minutes later, Solano flicked over an exquisite cross with the outside of his foot, Andres Mendoza headed the ball back across goal from the far post and lumbering Brazil-based striker Flavio Maestri equalised.

Solano was close to a winner when another dipping long-range shot was tipped over by Juan Carlos Henao as both teams kept their unbeaten records. Colombia topped group A and will stay in Trujillo for their quarterfinal on Saturday while Peru travel further north to Chiclayo.

Bolivia have only a slim chance of progressing as one of the two best third-placed teams in the three groups after their draw with Venezuela left them with two points and sent their opponents home.

Ruberth Moran put Venezuela ahead from a rebound in the 27th minute but Gonzalo Galindo levelled six minutes later. Both sides had chances to win a lively, end-to-end encounter.

The draw also ensured that Mexico and Uruguay will qualify from group B and that Paraguay will go through from group C along with already qualified Brazil. The winners of Wednesday's Costa Rica-Chile match will also progress from group C as one of the third-placed teams but if they draw 1-1 or 0-0, Bolivia will qualify on goals scored. -Reuters