By DPA
Caracas (Venezuela) : Argentina beat Mexico 3-0 in the semi-final of the Copa America football tournament and will take on defending champions Brazil in the title clash Sunday.
The first half of the pre-summit clash Wednesday played in Puerto Ordaz was very balanced, with Mexico and Argentina sharing control of the ball.
However, just before half time, Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze pushed the ball into the net after a free kick from Juan Roman Riquelme to which Mexican keeper Oswaldo Sanchez responded late.
When Mexico got back onto the pitch after the break it looked disoriented. In the 60th minute young superstar Lionel Messi made it 2-0 for Argentina, with a superb chip over the rival keeper.
Only three minutes later, the referee considered that Mexican captain Rafael Marquez brought down Carlos Tevez inside the box and awarded Argentina a doubtful penalty. Riquelme converted the shot to score his fifth goal of the tournament.
Defending champion Brazil eliminated Uruguay in a penalty shootout Tuesday, after a 2-2 draw over 90 minutes, and will play Argentina Sunday in Maracaibo.
The final of the Copa America in Venezuela is set to be a replay of the one Brazil won against Argentina in the last edition of the tournament, in Peru 2004.