Mexico Claim Third Place After 3-1 Win

Uruguay 1-3 Mexico

Mexico came from behind to defeat Uruguay 3-1 to claim third place of the Copa America. Diego Lugano's sending off in the first half greatly affected the Uruguayans.

First Half

Mexico, who came from a 3-0 semifinal loss against Argentina, started the stronger of the two sides, and dominated Uruguay early on in the match.
But as things settled down the Uruguayans began to keep the ball between them, while the Mexicans looked to speedy counterattacks.

In the 21st minute Uruguay took the lead through Sebastian Abreu. 'El Loco' outjumped his marker and headed the ball into the back of the net, after a good ball from Maxi Pereira from the left wing.

In the 35th minute Ramon Morales struck the crossbar with a freekick, and Mexico was awarded a penalty from the rebound after Diego Lugano fouled a Mexican player in the box. Lugano was given his marching orders in the process.

Cuauthemoc Blanco stepped up to the spot, and put Mexico on level terms with a good finish.

Despite playing with one man less the Uruguayans continued to be the better side, and came close to going infront once again with a Andres Scotti header from a corner.

Second Half

The Mexicans dominated the start of the second period, but couldn’t make the most of their numerical advantage.

They created several goalscoring opportunities, but couldn’t capatilise, either because of a lack of ideas or poor finishing.

In the second half Uruguay was the team looking to the counterattack, obviously because they were playing with only ten men. And Mexico took full advantage of this when Omar Bravo put them in the lead with a powerful effort from outside the area in the 68th minute.

In the 75th minute Andres Guardado added Mexico’s third goal with a brilliant long distance effort that went in off the crossbar.

Uruguay had several good opportunities to pull a goal back, but couldn’t beat Guillermo Ochoa in the Mexican goal.

Lineups:

Uruguay (1): Fabian Carini, Carlos Valdez, Diego Lugano, Andres Scotti, Jorge Fucile, Maximiliano Pereira, Pablo Garcia, Ignacio Gonzalez, Cristian Rodriguez, Diego Forlan and Sebastian Abreu. Manager: Oscar Washington Tabarez.

Mexico (3): Guillermo Ochoa, Israel Castro, Francisco Rodriguez, Jonny Magallon, Fausto Pinto, Fernando Arce, Gerardo Torrado, Ramon Morales, Jaime Lozano, Cuauthemoc Blanco, Omar Bravo and Nery Castillo. Manager: Hugo Sanchez.

Goals: Sebastian Abreu (21'), Cuauthemoc Blanco (37'), Omar Bravo (68’), Andres Guardado (75’).

Red Card: Diego Lugano (35’).

Referee: Mauricio Reinoso (Ecuador). Linesmen: Felix Badaraco (Ecuador) and Juan Carlos Arroyo (Bolivia).