Uruguay beat Mexico 1-0 to top Group A

Zeenews Bureau

Rustenburg: Mexico wasted a slew of opportunities as they lost 1-0 to Uruguay, who remained at the top of Group A and cemented their place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2010. Luis Suárez came up with the first goal for Uruguay in the 44th minute to lead Mexico 1-0 at half-time. Play really slowed down around the 55th to 65th minutes as Uruguay looked like they were enjoying slightly more of the possession since the break, whereas Mexico looked a little panicked in their actions. Mexico and Uruguay were in attacking mode in the first half of their final group stage match at the World Cup, both stood 0-0 through the first 30 minutes but a resilient Luis changed the tables just before the half-time whistle. The Group A teams needed only a draw to qualify for the round of 16, and there had been speculation they would play cautiously.Mexico had the best chance in the 22nd minute when winger Andres Guardado`s shot from 30 yards struck the crossbar. Uruguay forward Luis Suarez latched onto a long pass in the sixth minute that the defense failed to clear and his shot from the right went across the face of the goal.Uruguay defender Mauricio Victorino`s header went just over the crossbar from a corner kick by Diego Forlan in the 18th. Alvaro Pereira`s shot three minutes later curled wide.