Copa America Results 2016: Friday Group Scores, Highlights, Twitter Reaction

The Copa America got underway Friday with only one game on the docket. 

The Group A match between the United States and Colombia resulted in a 2-0 win for the Colombians.

Only the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout round, so after Friday's loss, it's going to be an uphill climb for the United States.

Here's a breakdown of Friday's action:

Friday, June 3	Group	Score
Saturday, June 4	Group	Time (ET)
United States vs. Colombia	A	Colombia, 2-0
Costa Rica vs. Paraguay	A	5 p.m.
Haiti vs. Peru	B	7:30 p.m.
Brazil vs. Ecuador	B	10 p.m.

Colombia Def. United States, 2-0

Colombia scored two first-half goals and defeated the United States 2-0 in the first game of the Copa America at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

SportsCenter took to Twitter after the final whistle blew:

It didn't take long for Colombia to strike first. Off a corner kick in the eighth minute, Cristian Zapata scored the game's first goal to give Colombia an early lead, via Fox Soccer:

The goal not only gave the Colombians the lead, but it was also historic, per the Copa America:

The United States moved the ball well. It couldn't score, though. Clint Dempsey had an opportunity at the 19-minute mark but just missed the net. That came back to haunt the United States.

Dempsey, who normally makes the plays at the net for the United States, had the best chances to put the U.S. on the board, as Doug McIntyre of ESPN.com noted:

A handball was called on U.S. forward DeAndre Yedlin near the end of the first half. James Rodriguez drilled the penalty kick with ease and gave Colombia a two-goal lead, via Fox Soccer:

Despite passing the ball efficiently in the first half, the United States was still on the wrong end of the scoreboard, as ESPN.com's Paul Carr noted:

The Americans tried to light a spark in the second half by going to their bench. Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe came into the game in the 66th minute to add some speed and fresh bodies. 

But despite the changes on the pitch, the United States couldn't capitalize and get on the board in the crucial opening contest.

The U.S. will take on Costa Rica in its second game of the group stage Tuesday, and it'll need to play better on both ends if the Americans want to secure three points and put themselves in position to advance.