LIMA, July 6 (Reuters) - Hosts Peru overcame a two-goal deficit to force a 2-2 draw with Bolivia in their opening Copa America game on Tuesday, narrowly avoiding an embarrassing loss to the team considered the weakest in the competition.

Substitute Roberto Palacios, surprisingly left out of the

starting line-up, salvaged a point for Peru with a spectacular

volleyed goal four minutes from time in the Group A match.

Peru dominated the first half until Bolivia silenced the

fanatical home crowd in the 35th minute with a breakaway goal

from striker Joaquin Botero, who beat goalkeeper Oscar Ibanez

from close range after being put through by Miguel Mercado.

Peru, who have failed to score in their last two World Cup

qualifiers at home, continued their slick but unproductive

passing and when they eventually got into the penalty area,

Claudio Pizarro and Flavio Maestri both missed easy headers.

Bolivia, who rarely offer much of a threat away from

high-altitude La Paz, stunned their opponents with a second goal

early in the second half after another counter attack.

Peru goalkeeper Oscar Ibanez rushed out of his penalty area

but failed to clear the ball and Bolivia left-back Lorgio

Alvarez slipped the ball past him and scored from a seemingly

impossible angle.

Peru suddenly came to life after playmaker Palacios replaced

the tired-looking Nolberto Solano in the 61st minute.

The Mexican-based veteran brought new life to the midfield

and within six minutes, Peru won a penalty when Ruben Tufino

brought down Walter Vilchez and captain Pizarro converted.

Just as Peru's desperation seemed to be getting the better

of them, Palacios found some inspiration as he flicked the ball

up on his right foot and then volleyed home with his left from

the edge of the area.

In the closing minutes, Peru poured forward in search of a

winning goal with substitute Andres Mendoza coming closest when

he headed wide after connecting with a curling cross from

Jefferson Farfan.