Mexico 0-3 Argentina
Juan Roman Riquelme put on another outstanding display, and helped Argentina to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mexico, which sets them up with a grand final showdown with archrivals Brazil on Sunday.
First Half
After a slow start, the Mexicans were the first to take control as Argentina looked for their rhythm.
Hugo Sanchez's side almost took the lead on nine minutes when a powerful long distance Juan Carlos Cacho effort flew inches over the crossbar.
Argentina were playing much below their potential, but looked dangerous through Carlos Tevez, who constantly tormented the Mexican defense with his good runs down the wings.
Andres Guardado almost put Mexico in front on the half an hour mark, but shot wide when he had the goal at his mercy.
In the 44th minute Argentina landed their blow through an unlikely source. Juan Roman Riquelme pumped a free-kick into the area and Gabriel Heinze poked the ball in acrobatically.
For all their effort, the Mexicans had precious little to be happy about as the Alfio Basile's boys took the lead into the break.
Second Half
The Mexicans piled on the pressure in the second period and almost equalised when leading scorer Nery Castillo saw an effort rocket off the crossbar. It was just not to be Mexico's evening, it seemed.
That was confirmed when Lionel Messi doubled Argentina's lead in the 59th minute with an incorrigibly deft chip over Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.
Argentina continued to press, and were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute when Tevez was impeded in the box. Riquelme stepped up to the spot and beat Sanchez with a calm finish. That was that, as they say!
In the 78rd minute, Messi sent a perfect ball through to substitute Rodrigo Palacio, but the Boca Juniors striker's effort was tipped over the bar by Sanchez.
Guardado, who was Mexico's only threat, almost pulled a goal back for the Mexicans, but his good volley flashed wide of Roberto Abbondanzieri's left post.
In injury time Messi could have picked up his second goal of the night, but his good effort flashed just wide of Sanchez's right post.
Argentina fully deserved their victory and will meet Brazil in the final of the Copa America on Sunday, while Mexico will look to recover from the defeat in time for the match for third place against Uruguay on Saturday.
Lineups
Mexico (0): Oswaldo Sanchez, Israel Castro, Rafael Marquez, Johnny Magallon, Fausto Pinto, Gerardo Torrado (Alberto Medina 46'), Jaime Correa (Gonzalo Pineda 83'), Fernando Arce, Andres Guardado, Nery Castillo, Juan Carlos Cacho (Omar Bravo 46'). Manager: Hugo Sanchez.
Argentina (3): Roberto Abbondanzieri, Javier Zanetti, Roberto Ayala, Gabriel Milito, Gabrie, l Heinze, Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron (Fernando Gago 78'), Juan Roman Riquelme (Pablo Aimar 86'), Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez (Rodrigo Palacio 78'). Manager: Alfio Basile.
Goals: Gabriel Heinze (44'), Lionel Messi (59'), Juan Roman Riquelme (65') - penalty.
Referee: Carlos Chandia (Chile).
Stadium: Cachamay, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela.
Juan Roman Riquelme put on another outstanding display, and helped Argentina to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mexico, which sets them up with a grand final showdown with archrivals Brazil on Sunday.
First Half
After a slow start, the Mexicans were the first to take control as Argentina looked for their rhythm.
Hugo Sanchez's side almost took the lead on nine minutes when a powerful long distance Juan Carlos Cacho effort flew inches over the crossbar.
Argentina were playing much below their potential, but looked dangerous through Carlos Tevez, who constantly tormented the Mexican defense with his good runs down the wings.
Andres Guardado almost put Mexico in front on the half an hour mark, but shot wide when he had the goal at his mercy.
In the 44th minute Argentina landed their blow through an unlikely source. Juan Roman Riquelme pumped a free-kick into the area and Gabriel Heinze poked the ball in acrobatically.
For all their effort, the Mexicans had precious little to be happy about as the Alfio Basile's boys took the lead into the break.
Second Half
The Mexicans piled on the pressure in the second period and almost equalised when leading scorer Nery Castillo saw an effort rocket off the crossbar. It was just not to be Mexico's evening, it seemed.
That was confirmed when Lionel Messi doubled Argentina's lead in the 59th minute with an incorrigibly deft chip over Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.
Argentina continued to press, and were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute when Tevez was impeded in the box. Riquelme stepped up to the spot and beat Sanchez with a calm finish. That was that, as they say!
In the 78rd minute, Messi sent a perfect ball through to substitute Rodrigo Palacio, but the Boca Juniors striker's effort was tipped over the bar by Sanchez.
Guardado, who was Mexico's only threat, almost pulled a goal back for the Mexicans, but his good volley flashed wide of Roberto Abbondanzieri's left post.
In injury time Messi could have picked up his second goal of the night, but his good effort flashed just wide of Sanchez's right post.
Argentina fully deserved their victory and will meet Brazil in the final of the Copa America on Sunday, while Mexico will look to recover from the defeat in time for the match for third place against Uruguay on Saturday.
Lineups
Mexico (0): Oswaldo Sanchez, Israel Castro, Rafael Marquez, Johnny Magallon, Fausto Pinto, Gerardo Torrado (Alberto Medina 46'), Jaime Correa (Gonzalo Pineda 83'), Fernando Arce, Andres Guardado, Nery Castillo, Juan Carlos Cacho (Omar Bravo 46'). Manager: Hugo Sanchez.
Argentina (3): Roberto Abbondanzieri, Javier Zanetti, Roberto Ayala, Gabriel Milito, Gabrie, l Heinze, Esteban Cambiasso, Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron (Fernando Gago 78'), Juan Roman Riquelme (Pablo Aimar 86'), Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez (Rodrigo Palacio 78'). Manager: Alfio Basile.
Goals: Gabriel Heinze (44'), Lionel Messi (59'), Juan Roman Riquelme (65') - penalty.
Referee: Carlos Chandia (Chile).
Stadium: Cachamay, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela.
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