Argentina to face hosts in quarters

Argentina set up a Copa America quarter-final against hosts Peru after their 4-2 win over neighbours Uruguay on Tuesday, while Mexico sent u...

Argentina set up a Copa America quarter-final against hosts Peru after their 4-2 win over neighbours Uruguay on Tuesday, while Mexico sent unhappy Ecuador packing.

Striker Luciano Figueroa8217;s first two goals for his country steered Argentina clear of a possible quarter-final with Brazil. Mexico kicked off the Group B double bill with a 2-1 win over Ecuador, who finished bottom of the group with three straight defeats.

The Mexicans finished top with seven points and stay in Piura to face the runners-up in Group C on Sunday, which could be Paraguay or Chile.

Second-placed Argentina travel to Chiclayo for Saturday8217;s showdown with the hosts and Uruguay qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. The Uruguayans appear set to finish as the best of the third-placed teams which will earn them a trip to Tacna at the southern extreme of the country, nearly 2,000 kilometres away, where their most likely opponents will be Brazil.

Argentina, beaten 1-0 by Mexico on Saturday, and Uruguay were both qualified before kicking off their match but still served up a typically full-blooded River Plate derby. 8216;8216;This game was similar to the one against Mexico,8217;8217; said Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa. 8216;8216;The difference is that we scored in this one and we didn8217;t against Mexico.8217;8217;

Fabian Estoyanoff fired Uruguay ahead with a right-footed volley after seven minutes before Argentina replied with two quick goals. Cristian Gonzalez slotted home a 20th-minute penalty after a foul on Cesar Delgado, then Figueroa scored from close range less than one minute later.

That blow, followed by Bizera8217;s sending-off, would have floored many teams. But the tenacious Uruguayans equalised in the 38th minute when Vicente Sanchez connected with a loose ball and scored with a 25-metre left-foot shot.

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Argentina dominated the rest of the game but appeared set to be frustrated until captain Roberto Ayala scored with a brilliant header from a corner in the 81st minute. Figueroa sealed the win with his second goal in the 90th.

Claudio Suarez, the world8217;s most capped international, made his first appearance of the Copa and the 172nd of his Mexico career in the game against Ecuador.

Striker Adolfo Bautista was Mexico8217;s hero, winning the 27th minute penalty from which Hector Altamirano opened the scoring, and helping himself to the second on the break just before halftime.

Agustin Delgado headed one for Ecuador as they staged a late fight-back. Reuters