Valparaiso (Chile), June 19 (IANS): Left back Fernando Amorebieta has taken the blame on himself for Venezuela's 0-1 defeat against Peru in the Copa America football tournament after he was red-carded in the first half of the contest.

Amorebieta was sent off in the 29th minute of the game for stamping on forward Paulo Guerrero's knee on Thursday.

The dismissal meant Venezuela were down to 10 men and their rivals capitalised on the numerical advantage as veteran forward Claudio Pizarro scored the winner in the 72nd minute.

"I did not intend to stand on him but will not criticise the referee because he decides. I can only take the blame because the red card changed the game," Amorebieta was quoted as saying by goal.com on Friday.

Thursday's result leaves Group C wide open, with Peru, Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia all level on three points with one match remaining. The top two teams advance to the quarter-finals of the tournament.