Munoz put the Cafeteros ahead in the 24th minute at NRG Stadium when he took advantage of weak defending to head home at the far post following James Rodriguez's cross from the left wing.

Lerma doubled the advantage as he nodded home on the stroke of halftime after another delivery from Rodriguez from a set piece, Xinhua reported.

The Guaranís were happy to give up possession for large periods as they defended along a low line and tried to attack the Colombia on the counter-attack.

They reduced the deficit in the 69th minute courtesy of Brighton forward Julio Enciso, who fired in a close-range volley following Ramon Sosa's cross.

But the Cafeteros won their ninth in a row and extended their unbeaten streak to 21 matches under manager Nestor Lorenzo.

"I'm happy to help the team, whether it's defending or scoring goals," Crystal Palace midfielder Lerma told reporters after the match.

"We knew Paraguay would be a tough test and it proved to be true. But it's important to know how to suffer and still get three points, which we were able to do."

Colombia will face Costa Rica in their next match on Friday in Phoenix while Paraguay will face Brazil on the same day in Las Vegas.