The Hindu : Sport / Football : Mexico stuns Brazil in opener

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Friday, Jun 29, 2007
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Mexico stuns Brazil in opener

Castillo and Morales the scorers

— PHOTO: AP

IN SEVENTH HEAVEN: Mexico’s Ramon Morales celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal against Brazil during a Copa America game on Wednesday.

Puerto Ordaz: Mexico masterminded a stunning 2-0 win over defending champion Brazil in the opener for both teams at the 2007 Copa America championship on Wednesday.

Nery Castillo scored at the 24th minute before Ramon Morales made it 2-0 just five minutes later for underdog Mexico.

Morales scored off a free kick and Castillo beat a defender before hitting the mark to open the scoring against a depleted Brazil squad which was missing some key players.

Brazil had several chances to score in the second half but Robinho’s drive sailed off the crossbar.

In the other Group B match on Wednesday, Chile rallied with two late goals to beat Ecuador 3-2.

Key role

Substitute Carlos Villanueva played a key role by stepping off the bench with 20 minutes remaining to set up one goal before scoring himself to clinch the victory for Chile.

Ecuador had dominated the game and had deservedly broken the deadlock through Antonio Valencia, who collected a pass from Carlos Tenorio before firing home.

In the 19th minute, Colo Colo striker Humberto Suazo equalized with a superb effort from distance.

But Ecuador was soon back in front when Cristian Benitez took advantage of an error by Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to make it 2-1 in the 22nd minute.

Luis Fernando Suarez’s side continued to dominate and had chances to further extend its lead but failed to convert any of them.

But it was left to rue those missed chances, with Suazo getting his second of the match, and Villanueva won it for Chile with a free kick three minutes from time.

Meanwhile Copa America organisers have reversed an earlier decision and will allow one of the July 10 semifinal match to be played in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.

The results: Brazil 0 lost to Mexico 2 (Castillo, Morales); Chile 3 (Suazo 2, Villanueva) bt Ecuador 2 (Valencia, Benitez). — AFP

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