Mexico finished the Copa America in third place, after defeating Uruguay by 3-1 on Saturday. Uruguay, which was eliminated in the semifinal by Brazil in a penalty shootout, had great hopes to win the third place, especially after the Uruguayan striker Abreu scored the first goal in the 22nd minute after a great cross from Ignacio Rodriguez.

But their hopes were ruined after the Uruguayan captain Diego Lugano was eliminated in the 35th minute for elbowing Gerardo Torrado inside the box.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted the penalty kick and the first half ended 1-1. In the second half, Omar Bravo made it 2-1 in the 67th minute.

Mexico increased its lead eight minutes later, thanks to a superb goal scored by midfielder Andres Guardado. His shot passed over Uruguayan keeper Fabian Carini from outside the box.

"We played a good game, started out dominating, and then in one minute everything changed," said Uruguayan coach Oscar Tabarez.

"This third place is a privilege and a distinction showing that Mexico is on the right track," the Mexican coack Hugo Sánchez said. "My players demonstrated they are professionals and that even playing back-to-back tournaments they didn't lower their intensity."

Mexico lost the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup to the United States in late June and immediately traveled to Venezuela. In Copa America Mexico was defeated in the semis by Argentina with a clear 3-0, but in the group-phase they achieved a stunning 2-0 win over 5-time world champions, Brazil.

Copa America will conclude with Sunday’s final between Argentina and defending champion Brazil in Maracaibo, Venezuela.