Uruguay out of tune vs Mexico

Glendale ( USA), June 6: Mexico defeated Uruguay 3- 1 in a stormy Copa America Centenario on Sunday that saw both teams finish with 10 men after a pre- match furore over a bungled national anthem.

A pulsating clash at the University of Phoenix stadium in Arizona saw Mexico take all three points in the crucial Group C battle through an own goal from Alvaro Pereira and late strikes from Rafa Marquez and Hector Herrera.

Uruguay’s lone strike came from captain Diego Godin, the Atletico Madrid player heading in an equaliser 16 minutes from time that looked to have secured the South Americans a share of the points. But 37- year- old Marquez’s emphatic strike into the roof of the net on 85 minutes fired Mexico 2- 1 up before Herrera added a third in injury time to complete a memorable victory for “El Tri”.

Uruguay’s players angrily remonstrated with match officials at the final whistle in an ill- tempered finale that capped a miserable afternoon for ‘ La Celeste’.

Before kick- off, Uruguay’s players had looked baffled as they lined up for their national anthem — only for Chile’s national anthem to be played by mistake.

Copa America Centenario organisers swiftly apologised for the blunder. “We sincerely apologise to the Uruguayan Federation, the Uruguay National Team, the people of Uruguay and to the fans for this mistake,” a statement said, blaming the gaffe on “human error.”

When the game kicked off, Mexico took the lead after only four minutes.

On the stroke of half time it got worse for Uruguay when Matias Vecino picked up a second yellow card and received his marching orders.

“I’m proud of the courage of the team and the way we came back,” said Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez.