MATCH 09 REPORT : URUGUAY WIN AND EDGE CLOSER TO QUALIFICATION

Uruguay beat Ecuador 2-1 and will decide a berth in the second phase of the Copa America with Argentina, on July 13th. The goals scored by the blue Celeste were scored by Diego Forlan and Carlos Bueno. Franklin Salas reduced the gap for Ecuador.

With both sides in need of victory to continue in contention, the first half was tense. So much so that, on 6 minutes, defender Montero ¿ who scored the equalizer against Mexico ¿ was booked for a violent challenge. The match continued seeing some heavy marking and mistakes in midfield, but Uruguay created more opportunities, with Montero heading a ball onto the upright, on 4 minutes, Forlan lashing a strike on 37 minutes, and defender Joe Bizerra deflecting a ball with his head that shaved the crossbar on Ibarra´s goal.

The second half began with the squads determined to achieve victory, and on the very first minute, Ecuadorian Edison Mendez almost startled goalkeeper Barbat. Uruguay hit back immediately, and two minutes later, Dario Silva missed a huge chance after a corner-kick. There was little to choose between both teams. But it was Uruguay who took the lead. Forlan striking from outside the area to make it 1-nil on 61 minutes. Ecuador tried to comeback only after the entrance of striker Franklin Salas, who leveled the scores on 72 minutes. Uruguay didn´t lie down and continued attacking. Fossati´s team were rewarded on 78 minutes, when Carlos Bueno, who went unnoticed until then, made the most of Ibarra´s parry to secure a 2-1 win for Uruguay.

Uruguay: Luis Barbat, Gustavo Varela, Joe Bizera, Paolo Montero (Alejandro Lago), Darío Rodríguez (Vicente Sanchéz), Marcelo Sosa, Omar Pouso, Diego Forlán (Diego Perez 23´/2), Cristian Rodríguez, Darío Silva and Carlos Bueno. Coach: Jorge Fossati.

Ecuador: Geovanny Ibarra, Ulises de la Cruz, Iván Jacinto Hurtado, Giovanny Espinoza, Neicer Reasco, Alfonso Andrés Obregón, Edwin Tenório (Franklin Salas 19´/2), Cleber Chalá, Edison Mendez (Ebelio Ordoñez 38´/2), Alex Aguinaga and Augustín Javier Delgado. Coach: Hernán Dario Gómez.

Venue: Chiclayo, Peru

Assistant Referees: Plácido Chuello - Venezuela and Alfonso Orlandini - Peru

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