July 2001 Sport News Headlines

PEREIRA - Mexico defeated Uruguay 2-1 on Wednesday to reach the Copa America final for the second time after coming out on top in an ill-tempered match that saw two players sent off from each side.

Uruguay, who provoked their opponents throughout the semifinal tie, also finished their first round match with Honduras with nine men, following the dismissal of two players.

Veteran Alberto Garcia Aspe scored the winning goal from a 67th minute penalty for Mexico, who have taken part in the South American tournament by invitation since 1993.

Mexico will now be hoping to go one better than they did in their first Copa when they were beaten by Argentina in the final in Ecuador.

Striker Jared Borgetti gave Mexico the lead in the 13th minute when he turned Carlos Gutierrez inside out before firing in a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Richard Morales rose above the Mexican defence to head Uruguay's equaliser in the 32nd minute following a free kick on the right.

However, Uruguay's disciplinary problems began just before halftime when striker Carlos Morales was sent off for a well-aimed karate kick on Gerardo Torrado.

Mexico used their numerical advantage to take control after the break.

Borgetti was guilty of a glaring miss before Garcia Aspe, recalled to the team after a two-year absence when Javier Aguirre was appointed coach last month, scored from the spot following a push on Antonio de Nigris.

Garcia Aspe then turned from hero to villain when he was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 86th minute and the game boiled over in injury time when a scuffle in the penalty area led to two more red cards.

Olivera was dismissed for punching Manuel Vidrio, who was also sent off even though he did not appear to do anything wrong.

Colombia and Honduras met in the other semi-final in Manizales last night. - Nampa-Reuters

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