Nery Castillo was absolutely everywhere on Wednesday night as Mexico upstaged Brazil 2-0 in Venezuela, catapulting El Tri to first place in Group B and within touching distance of the Copa America second round. Castillo scored perhaps the best goal of the tournament so far receiving a great chipped pass from Juan Carlos Chaco, which he controlled and then lifted over his defender to slot home past the onrushing Brazilian goalkeeper. "I controlled the ball and saw the opponent coming from behind. Then it came into my head to flick it over home and, luckily, I scored a beautiful goal," the striker told Mexican television.

As Brazil, losing 2-0, threw just about everything and the kitchen sink at Mexico's goal in the second half, Castillo always looked capable of slipping in behind the Brazilian back-line to kill off the game (he actually missed a couple of howlers). The Olympiakos striker was tireless all night and certainly deserved a second. "I was sad about the goal that didn't happen, it was a beautiful move and 3-0 would have been a great prize."

Castillo was born in Mexico to Uruguayan parents although he grew up playing soccer in Uruguay. At age 16, the left-footed striker left for Greece where he has been with Olympiakos for eight years. For nearly two years, the striker has contemplated playing for either Uruguay -- where stiff competition with the likes of Diego Forlan would restrict his playing time -- Greece or the Tricolores. Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez finally won out after a protracted chase.

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