Mexico reached the final of the Copa America on Wednesday with a 2-1 win over Uruguay after a stirring, if aggressive, encounter which saw both sides end up with only nine men.
The Mexicans booked a meeting on Sunday with either hosts Colombia or upstarts Honduras, who meet in the other semi-finalon Thursday, after a furious-paced battle which deserved to be witnessed by more than a paltry 12,000 crowd at Hernan Ramirez villages stadium. The result meant that the Mexicans improved on third place finishes at both of the last two editions of the event in 1997 and 1999 to reach only their second ever final at the expense of opponents who have won the event 14 times. Mexican keeper Oscar Perez produced a top drawer save from a Richard Morales header on 10 minutes as Uruguay, who lost to Brazil in the 1999 final, began to find their rhythm following a cagey opening.
But the Aztecs swiftly stepped up their game and drew first blood in the 15th minute.
Alberto Garcia Aspe combined with Carlos Gutierrez who clipped a high pass through to Jared Borguetti, just back from suspension.
He jinked his way goalwards to unleash a superb strike past Uruguayan keeper Gustavo Munua for his second goal of the tournament.
Bureau Report