Join Now  | 
Home About Contact Us Privacy & Security Advertise
Soccer America Daily Special Edition Around The Net Soccer Business Insider College Soccer Reporter Youth Soccer Reporter Soccer on TV Soccer America Classifieds
Paul Gardner: SoccerTalk Soccer America Confidential Youth Soccer Insider World Cup Watch
RSS Feeds Archives Manage Subscriptions Subscribe
Order Current Issue Subscribe Manage My Subscription Renew My Subscription Gift Subscription
My Account Join Now
Tournament Calendar Camps & Academies Soccer Glossary Classifieds
Mexico is first team to reach Copa America quarterfinals
by Paul Kennedy, July 2nd, 2007 7AM
Subscribe to Soccer America Daily


MOST READ
TAGS:  brazil, copa america, mexico


Mexico became the first team to clinch a berth in the quarterfinals of the Copa America when it beat Ecuador, 2-1, on Sunday in Group B.

The win was the second in a row for the Mexicans, who opened with a 2-0 win over defending champion and are on top of the group with the six points.

Brazil beat Chile, 3-0, thanks to a Robinho hat trick earlier on Sunday to move into a tie for second place with Chile.

Venezuela registered its first victory in the Copa America in 40 years when it beat Peru, 2-0, on Saturday. In Saturday's other Group A game, Uruguay beat Bolivia, 1-0.

There was controversy, on and off the field, over the weekend.

Peru complained bitterly about the refereeing of Mexican Benito Archundia, who waived off an apparent Canadian goal in the last seconds of the USA's 2-1 win over Canada in the semifinals of the Gold Cup.

Archundia sent off Peruvian Pedro Garcia after only 14 minutes for a retaliatory elbow on Giancarlo Maldonado and failed to whistle a foul by Venezuelan Hector Gonzalez on Peru's Chelsea signing, Claudio Pizarro, in the penalty area.

Fans at Maturin's Monumental Stadium had to walk miles and wait forever to get into the Group B doubleheader on Sunday.

As was feared, workers were unable to meet deadlines to finish the 52,000-seat stadium, which opened with layers of dust covering the new plastic seats and piles of garbage in the corners.

GAME SUMMARIES:
June 30 in San Cristobal
Venezuela 2 Peru 0. Goals: Cichero 49, Arismendi 79.
Venezuela -- Vega, H.Gonzalez, Rey, Cichero, Rouga (Perez, 38), Vera, Vitali, Paez, Arango (C.Gonzalez, 74), Maldonado, de Ornelas (Arismendi, 64).
Peru -- Butron, Vilchez, Villalta (Marino, 52), Rodriguez, Galliquio (Mendoza, 76), Acasiete, Bazalar, Garcia, Farfan, Guerrero, Pizarro (Zuniga, 67).
Red cards:
Venezuela -- Paez 77; Peru -- Garcia 14.
Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico).
Att.: 40,000.

June 30 in San Cristobal
Uruguay 1 Bolivia 0. Goal: Sanchez 58.
Venezuela -- Vega, H.Gonzalez, Rey, Cichero, Rouga (Perez, 38), Vera, Vitali, Paez, Arango (C.Gonzalez, 74), Maldonado, de Ornelas (Arismendi, 64).
Peru -- Butron, Vilchez, Villalta (Marino, 52), Rodriguez, Galliquio (Mendoza, 76), Acasiete, Bazalar, Garcia, Farfan, Guerrero, Pizarro (Zuniga, 67).
Red cards:
Venezuela -- Paez 77; Peru -- Garcia 14.
Referee: Baldomero Toledo (USA).
Att.: 40,000.

Group B
July 1 in Maturin
Brazil 3 Chile 0. Scorer: Robinho 36 pen, 84, 87
Brazil -- Doni, Maicon (Daniel Alves 26), Alex Rodrigo, Juan, Gilberto, Mineiro, Gilberto Silva, Elano (Josue 79), Anderson (Julio Baptista 46), Vagner Love, Robinho.
Chile -- Bravo, Ormeno, Fuentes, Riffo (Vargas 54), Contreras, Jara (Lorca 46), Sanhueza, Melendez (Iturra 20), Valdivia, Gonzalez, Suazo
Referee: Carlos Torres (Paraguay).
Att.: 42,000.

July 1 in Maturin
Mexico 2 Ecuador 1. Goals: N.Castillo 22, Bravo 80; Mendez 85.
Mexico -- Sanchez. I.Castro, Marquez, Magallon, Pinto, Morales (Pineda 83), Torrado, Correa, Arce, N.Castillo (Blanco 78), Cacho (Bravo 63).
Ecuador -- Mora, De la Cruz, Hurtado, Espanainoza, Bagui (Ayovi 71), Mendez, E.Tenorio (Reasco, 46), S.Castillo, Valencia, CTenorio (Borja 78), Benitez.
Referee: Rene Ortube (Bolivia).
Att.: 42,000.



No comments yet.

Sign in to leave a comment. Don't have an account? Join Now


AUTHORS

ARCHIVES
FOLLOW SOCCERAMERICA

Recent Soccer America Daily
What They're Saying    
"It's easy to enjoy your vacation and enjoy some cold beers and swimming pools on a ...
Gotta keep your eye on the ball, keeper!    
[VIDEO PICK: Off the Post] This own goal, which turned out to be a Finnish First ...
Mexico hopes to continue mastery of Brazil    
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] Mexico may be slumping, but Brazil considers it a thorn in its side -- ...
Jozy and Johnson move USA closer to Brazil    
[USA-HONDURAS] Jozy Altidore has paved a smooth path to Brazil for the USA. The red-hot striker ...
Thorns FC lands Weimer from Fortuna Hjorring    
[NWSL] Portland Thorns FC, tied for first place with Sky Blue FC, signed forward Tiffany Weimer ...
Several scenarios possible for U.S. clincher on Day 7    
[HEXAGONAL] The USA clinched a berth in the World Cup 2006 finals when its 2-0 win ...
Bombazos keep Ticos in second place    
[HEXAGONAL] Costa Rica remained in second place two points behind the USA in the Hexagonal with ...
Altidore does it again to move Yanks closer to World Cup    
[USA-HONDURAS] The USA beat Honduras, 1-0, on Jozy Altidore's goal in the 73rd minute -- his ...
Important games on tap for Montreal and Portland    
[MLS SCHEDULE: Week 17] The surprise teams of the season so far face tough tests Wednesday ...
The 'Special 1' as you've never seen him before     
[VIDEO PICK: Special 1] Jose Mourinho opens up for a heartfelt chat where the coach talks ...
>> Soccer America Daily Archives