Mexico stroll to third spot at Copa

Mexico exploited the 38th-minute expulsion of Uruguayan captain Diego Lugano for three goals and rallied for a 3-1 victory Saturday that gave El Tri third place at the Copa America.

Mexico exploited the 38th-minute expulsion of Uruguayan captain Diego Lugano for three goals and rallied for a 3-1 victory Saturday that gave El Tri third place at the Copa America.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted the penalty to equalise after Lugano was issued a red card for elbowing Gerardo Torrado, and Omar Bravo and Andres Guardado added second-half goals to assure Mexico of finishing third.

Sebastian Abreu gave Uruguay the lead in the 22nd minute, heading in Maximiliano Pereira’s cross. But after Blanco equalised, Bravo lifted a shot over the hands of goalkeeper Fabian Carini in the 68th minute, and Guardado sealed the victory with a shot from 25 meters in the 76th.

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“This is a distinction showing we’re on the right track,” manager Hugo Sanchez said.

Iran rally to draw

JAKARTA: Bahrain came from behind to stun regional powerhouse South Korea 2-1 on Sunday, leaving the 2002 World cup semi-finalists on the brink of exit from the Asian Cup. South Korea, who have just one point from two games, must beat hosts Indonesia and rely on Saudi Arabia defeating Bahrain. Earlier, Iran fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with China.