Mexico produced the most one-sided victory, clobbering Paraguay, 6-0. New star Nery Castillo scored two goals, the first from the penalty spot in the fifth minute after Paraguay goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla gave away a penalty and was sent off.
Argentina routed Peru, 4-0, on Sunday with all four goals coming in the second half -- two from playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme.
On Saturday, Uruguay ended host Venezuela's dream to reaching the semifinals for the first time with a 4-1 win in the weekend's only close game. The Celeste led by only a goal until it added two goals in the final three minutes.
Brazil thumped Chile, 6-1, to silence the critics of Coach Dunga for his defensive tactics in the first stage of the competition. Dunga uses three players -- Gilberto Silva, Josue and Mineiro -- who are considered defensive specialists in midfield. That may not sit well with fans back home, but Brazil was unstoppable against Chile.
"We never had a chance," said Chile coach Nelson Acosta.
GAME SUMMARIES:
July 7 in San Cristobal
Venezuela 1 Uruguay 4. Goals: Arango 41; Forlan 39, 90, Garcia 65, Rodriguez 87.
Venezuela -- Vega, H.Gonzalez, Rey, Cichero, Rojas, Vera, Mea Vitali (Guerra, 76), Paez, Arango, Maldonado (C.Gonzalez, 71), de Ornelas (Arismendi, 46).
Uruguay -- Carini, Lugano, Scotti, D.Rodriguez (Godin, 89), Pereira, Garcia, Perez, C.Rodriguez, Fucile, Forlan, Recoba (I.Gonzalez, 79).
Referee: Carlos Chandia (Chile).
Att.: 40.000.
July 7 in Puerto La Cruz
Brazil 6 Chile 1. Goals: Juan 17, Julio Baptista 23, Robinho 28, 50, Josue 69, Vagner Love 85; Suazo 76.
Brazil -- Doni, Maicon (Elano, 71), Alex, Juan (Naldo, 73), Gilberto, Mineiro, Gilberto Silva, Josue, Julio Baptista, Robinho (Afonso, 65) Vagner Love.
Chile -- Bravo, Ormeno, Contreras, Fuentes, Jara (Cabion, 56), Fierro (Valdivia, 46), Sanhueza, Iturra, Gonzalez (Fernandez, 66), Suazo, Lorca.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).
Att.: 25,000.
July 8 in Barquisimeto
Argentina 4 Peru 0. Goals: Riquelme 47, 85, Messi 61, Mascherano 75.
Argentina -- Abbondanzieri, Zanetti, Ayala, G.Milito, Heinze, Mascherano, Cambiasso (Aimar, 84), Veron (Gago, 72), Riquelme, Messi, D.Milito (Tevez, 46).
Peru -- Butron, Galliquio, Villalta, Acasiete, Villamarin (Zuniga 63), Vilchez, Bazalar, de la Haza, Marino (Mendoza 75), Guerrero (Garcia 55), Pizarro.
Referee: Carlos Eugenio Simon (Brazil).
Att.: 42,000.
July 8 in Maturin
Mexico 6 Paraguay 0. Goals: Castillo pen. 5, 38, Torrado 27, Arce 79, Blanco pen. 86, Bravo 90.
Mexico -- Sanchez. I.Castro, Magallon, Marquez, Pinto, Torrado, Arce (Blanco, 80), Correa, Guardado, Cacho (Bravo 65), Castillo (Bautista 54).
Paraguay -- Bobadilla (Zayas 5), Veron (Vera, 20), Caceres, Da Silva, Bonet, Barreto, Rodriguez, Riveros, Santana (Zayas, 5), Cardozo (Cabanas 67), Santa Cruz.
Red card: Paraguay -- Bobadilla 5.
Referee: Sergio Pezzotta (Argentina).
Att.: 50,000.
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