By DPA
Caracas (Venezuela) : Mexico beat Uruguay 3-1 here to finish the Copa America in third place.
Eliminated in the race for the title after losing to Brazil in a penalty shootout in the semi-final, Uruguay went onto the pitch Saturday with a clearer ambition to win the game.
The side coached by Oscar Tabarez struck first, as veteran striker Sebastian Abreu headed the ball home after a great cross from Ignacio Rodriguez in the 22nd minute.
The match changed dramatically in the 35th minute. The referee ruled that Uruguayan captain Diego Lugano had elbowed a rival inside the box, sending off Lugano and awarding Mexico a penalty kick. Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted from the spot to equalise 1-1.
The second half saw an assertion of dominance by Mexico, which had lost to Argentina by a clear 3-0 in the semis after playing an outstanding Copa America.
Omar Bravo made it 2-1 in the 67th minute, and eight minutes later young midfielder Andres Guardado added a beautiful goal with a shot over Uruguayan keeper Fabian Carini from outside the box.
“(Third place) was important for Mexico. We left a good image, but it is evident we have to keep improving to be at the level of the top teams,” Bravo said.