Rabbit, run

Saviola hat trick sparks Argentina's 6-1 rout of Ecuador

Ecuador's Ulises De La Cruz defends Argentina's Kily Gonzalez. AP

CHICLAYO, Peru (Reuters) -- Argentina striker Javior Saviola scored a 15-minute hat trick as his side crushed Ecuador 6-1 in their opening Copa America Group B match on Wednesday.

Given a rare start by coach Marcelo Bielsa, the Barcelona player known as "the Rabbit" rescued his side between the 64th and 79th minute to give Argentina a convincing win they badly needed to start the tournament.

Cristian Gonzalez had put Argentina ahead with a fifth-minute penalty before Agustin Delgado equalised for Ecuador 17 minutes into the second half.

Argentina then hit back with five goals in the final 26 minutes including Saviola's three and one each from Andres D'Alessandro and Luis Gonzalez.

Last winners of the Copa America in 1993, Argentina arrived in Peru amid speculation that Bielsa would lose his job if they did not do well.

Bielsa survived Argentina's first round exit at the 2002 World Cup but disappointing performances since have increased the pressure.

His refusal to field Saviola regularly is one of the causes of his unpopularity.

Argentina, with a team blending younger players and the old guard, tore into their opponents and were given the perfect start as Gonzalez fired home from the spot after he was fouled by Giovanny Espinoza.

It appeared a harsh decision as Gonzalez's legs crumpled following the lightest of touches.

Ecuador goalkeeper Giovanny Ibarra denied Saviola and Andres D'Alessandro as Argentina threatened to settle the match before halftime.

However, Ecuador equalised when substitute Delgado picked up a loose ball in midfield, advanced on the Argentine defence and scored with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Just as the beleaguered Bielsa appeared to be in more trouble, Saviola sprang into action.

He put Argentina back in front in the 64th minute, increased their lead in the 75th minute and completed his hat-trick four minutes later.

Andres D'Alessandro added a fifth with a low shot from the edge of the area in the 84th minute and there was still time for a Luis Gonzalez goal in the dying seconds.

Ecuador coach ponders resignation after defeat

CHICLAYO, Peru (Reuters) -- Ecuador coach Hernan Dario Gomez is considering his future after watching his side lose 6-1 to Argentina in their Copa America opener on Wednesday.

"With a result like this, one is almost out the door, one's position is untenable," said Gomez, a Colombian who has become a national hero in Ecuador after leading them to their first World Cup in 2002.

"This was a coach-devouring result. When the Copa finishes, I will seriously think about leaving because it wears you down."

However, Ecuador Football Federation president Luis Chiriboga stood by Gomez despite the heavy defeat.

"I'm not the sort of director to kick out the coach because of one result," he told reporters.

"I stand by the players and the coach in the bad times as well as the good.

"This isn't the time to recriminate. Nobody expected a score like this, especially from players who have given such happiness to the Ecuadorean people in the past."

Ecuador appeared set for a good result when Agustin Delgado scored in the 62nd minute to cancel out Cristian Gonzalez's early penalty for Argentina in the Group B encounter.

Instead, they capitulated, conceding five goals in the last 26 minutes.

"It was a disastrous performance, a night to forget," Chiriboga admitted.

"Ecuador did not have faith or conviction.

"We fought back, we equalised and then disaster struck."

Bielsa not getting carried away

CHICLAYO, Peru (Reuters) -- Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa said he would not get carried away with his team's 6-1 demolition of Ecuador in the Copa America on Wednesday.

Despite his team's performance, the introverted Bielsa did not manage to raise a smile during the 15-minute media conference afterwards.

Instead, he answered all questions in the usual manner, staring blankly at the floor, remaining expression-less as he spoke and refusing to look his questioners in the eye.

"I didn't expect such a big score," he said. "All the aspects of our game were satisfactory."

"This was the first game in a series of three," said Bielsa, whose team still have to face Uruguay and Mexico in first round Group B.

"If we do not qualify for the quarter-finals of the cup, we will not have achieved anything with this result."

"This is just the first step on a long path. One good performance will not win anything."

Bielsa is under considerable pressure following some recent lacklustre performances and many feel he could lose his job if his team do not do well in Peru.

Summary

Argentina 6, Ecuador 1 - result. Copa America first round Group B:

Scorers:

Argentina - Cristian Gonzalez 5pen, Javier Saviola 64, 75, 79, Andres D'Alessandro 84, Luis Gonzalez 90 Ecuador - Agustin Delgado 62

Halftime: 1-0; Attendance: 25,000

Argentina - 1-Roberto Abbondanzieri; 8-Javier Zanetti, 2-Roberto Ayala, 6-Gabriel Heinze, 3-Juan Pablo Sorin; 16-Luis Gonzalez, 5-Javier Mascherano, 18-Cristian Gonzalez (14-Clemente Rodriguez, 87); 10-Andres D'Alessandro; 19-Cesar Delgado (21-Mauro Rosales, 74), 7-Javier Saviola (11-Carlos Tevez, 83)

Ecuador: 12-Giovanny Ibarra; 4-Ulises de la Cruz (19-Edison Mendez, 54), 3-Ivan Hurtado, 17-Giovanny Espinoza, 18-Neicer Reasco; 5-Alfonso Obregon, 6-Paul Ambrossi, 20-Edwin Tenorio(7-Franklin Salas, 28), 15-Marlon Ayovi; 8-Ebelio Ordonez (11-Agustin Delgado, 46), 16-Cleber Chala

Referee: Carlos Amarilla (Paraguay)

Both the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.