The 2022 World Cup hosts got off to a nightmare start at the famous Maracanã in Rio de Janiero when Óscar Cardozo put Paraguay ahead just four minutes in from the penalty spot.

Qatar had stormed to victory at the Asian Cup by scoring 19 goals and conceding just one, and they created plenty of problems for the South Americans.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, Qatar survived a video assistant referee (VAR) review as Cardozo had a second goal ruled out.

Paraguay did not have to wait much longer to double their lead though as Derlis González struck a long-range effort into the top corner.

Qatar, one of two sides from outside the continent invited to play in the 2019 edition of the Copa América, found a way back into the game when Almoez Ali looped a long-distance effort into the net.

With just 12 minutes to go Boualem Khoukhi levelled with a scrappy finish as Qatar grabbed an unlikely point.

The draw means Argentina sit bottom of the group after Colombia won yesterday's opener 2-0.

In Group C Uruguay started their campaign with a 4-0 demolition of Ecuador at the Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte.

Nicolas Lodeiro opened the scoring early on and when Ecuador's Jose Quintero was sent off for an elbow after a VAR consultation, Uruguay surged clear.

Making their advantage count, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez made it 3-0 at the break.

Arturo Mina's 78th minute own goal completed the rout at 4-0.

The second opening game in Group C is due to be played tomorrow with the other invited team, Japan, taking on holders Chile at the Estádio do Morumbi in São Paulo.