LA PLATA: World Cup semifinalists Uruguay beat a young Mexico side 1-0 in the Copa America on Tuesday to set up a mouth-watering quarterfinal clash with their River Plate rivals Argentina.
Alvaro Pereira scored the only goal of the match after 14 minutes, taking advantage of a deflection from a Diego Forlan free kick to bury the loose ball from close range.
The result means Uruguay leapfrog Peru to finish second in Group C behind Chile, and will face hosts Argentina in Santa Fe on Saturday.
Mexico, who fielded an under-strength team at the Copa, exit the competition after losing all three group matches.
Uruguay dominated much of the match and could have easily added to their early lead.
Forlan hit the inside of the right hand post with a low shot in the 30th minute and five minutes later his striking partner Luis Suarez forced a fine save from Luis Michel, who tipped the ball over his crossbar for a corner kick.
The Mexicans, who were appearing at the Copa by invitation, were limited to a few counter-attacks, with Giovani Dos Santos their main threat in attack.
The pattern was repeated in the second half and it was only in the final 20 minutes that Mexico turned up the heat.
They appeared to have equalized in the 89th minute through Rafael Marquez but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Chile win Pacifico clasico
Chile took neighbourly bragging rights at the Copa America, winning their Pacifico clasico with Peru to top Group C.
Four-time finalists Chile have been playing some of the best football at the championship and deservedly saw off two-time champions Peru on Tuesday – 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.
A flare-up between Jean Beausejour of Chile and Peru’s Giancarlo Carmona proved a lowpoint, both men sent off on the hour by Brazilian referee Salvio Fagundes – to the fury of Peru coach Sergio Markarian, who contested the wisdom of Fagundes.
“This is the same one who deprived Colombia of a legitimate win against Argentina,” insisted Markarian, referring to a penalty appeal denied the Colombians when their forward Radamel Garcia felt he had a claim for a foul in the box. Peru finish third in the group and also qualify for the quarterfinals, although they will have to wait until Wednesday to find out who they face next. (Agencies)