Uruguay book Copa quarter-final with Argentina

Record-equalling Forlan steals limelight against Mexico.

BUENOS AIRES:

Uruguay snapped out of their insipid early Copa America form, defeating Mexico 1-0 to set up a quarter-final clash with hosts Argentina.

Veteran Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan ran the show, having a hand in the goal while winning a record-equalling 79th cap for his country to go level with former keeper Rodolfo Rodriguez.

Another two goals for Forlan will help him equal the national scoring record, currently held by Hector Scarone, who netted 31 times between 1920 and 1930.

Uruguay started on the front foot, with Mexico content with the counter-attack. Alvaro Pereira pounced for his second goal of the tournament on the hour mark, when goal-keeper Luis Michel spilled the ball following a Forlan free-kick, which caused panic in the Mexico defence.

Diego Forlan and Nicolas Lodeiro both hit the woodwork as Uruguay aimed to put the contest to bed, before an offside flag denied Rafael Marquez a late equaliser.

Saturday’s quarter-final against Lionel Messi-inspired Argentinians will be eagerly anticipated as both the hosts and the Uruguayans have won a joint record 14 continental titles.

Chile post victory

In the day’s second game, Chile took neighbourly bragging rights, winning their Pacifico clasico with Peru to top Group C.

Four-time finalists Chile had been playing some of the best football at the championship and deservedly saw off two-time champions Peru - though it took an injury-time own goal from Peruvian defender Andre Carrillo to settle the encounter at Mendoza.

Both sides went into the game with the pressure largely off, as they had garnered four points from their opening two games to guarantee further progress.

Chile held the upper hand in the first-half even though there were few clear-cut chances. Substitute Carrillo bundled into his own net from a 92nd-minute corner to give Chile three points after both sides had been reduced to 10 men at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas.

A flare-up between Jean Beausejour of Chile and Peru’s Giancarlo Carmona saw both men being sent off on the hour by Brazilian referee Salvio Fagundes.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2011.