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Maestro: Besides converting a spot-kick, Alex provided inch-perfect long-balls |
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Brazil beat Mexico 4-nil, Sunday night in Piura, and qualified to the semifinals of Copa America. Their opponents will be Uruguay, in a fixture scheduled for Wednesday night, in Lima. Carlos Alberto Parreira´s team put a hoodoo to rest, since theu hadn´t defeated Mexico in four previous matches, apart from having lost to Mexicans and Hondurans ¿ both CONCACAF members - in the 2001 Copa America.
Playing without the support of the majority of the fans - the Mexican supporters showed up in greater numbers at the Miguel Grau Stadium - Brazil had the better of the early exchanges, as they squeezed Mexico in their half of the field. On 4 minutes, after a corner-kick, Juan headed the ball onto the crossbar. Mexico tried to make the game a more even affair with a fine individual effort by Pardo, on 9 minutes, but the strike went wide, to the left of keeper Julio Cesar.
But the Brazilians had the better goal-scoring chances. Adriano struck goalwards with power, stinging Sanchez´ hands. In the follow-up, the Brazilian striker pounced on the keeper´s rebound and was brought down for a penalty. Alex did the honors from the spot to break the deadlock. Brazil set the agenda thereafter. Mexico tried to threaten with long-range efforts by Altamirano.
The second told much the same story. On 5 minutes, Brazil added a second with a Juan header, disallowed by referee Oscar Ruiz. Argentinean-born coach for Mexico, Ricardo Lavolpe tried to make his side more offensive with the entrance of striker Borgetti in midfielder Torrado´s place. Mexico almost equalized with a Bautista header, well stopped by Julio Cesar.
When Mexico attempted to turn the screw, Adriano made the most of a counter-attack and found the low corner of Sanchez´ goal to make it 2-nil. The Brazilian squad dominated and extended the lead with two more goals to confirm their qualification.
Technical Info:
Goals:
Alex - 27/1
Adriano - 20/2
Adriano - 30/2
Ricardo Oliveira - 42/2
Yellow Cards:
Duilio Davino - 25/1
Kleberson - 30/1
Edu - 34/2
Mexico: Oswaldo Sánchez - Ricardo Osorio (Héctor Altamirano), Rafael Márquez, Duilio Davino, Gabriel Briseño - Salvador Carmona, Gerardo Torrado (Jared Borgetti), Pavel Pardo, Octávio Valdez, Jesús Arellano (Daniel Osorno) - Adolfo Bautista. Coach: Ricardo Lavolpe.
Brazil: Júlio César - Maicon, Juan, Luisão, Gustavo Nery - Renato, Kléberson, Edu, Alex - Luis Fabiano (Ricardo Oliveira) and Adriano. Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira.
Venue: Estádio Miguel Grau, in Piura.
Referee: Oscar Ruiz (COL)
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