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Mexico 0-3 Argentina Copa America Semi Final: Man Utd's Heinze, Barcelona's Messi & Riquelme Take Albiceleste To Final v Brazil

Submitted by Scott Harkness on Thu, 12/07/2007 - 03:52.

Argentina have beaten Mexico 3-0 in the second Semi-Final of the Copa América 2007, to seal a place in the Copa América 2007 Final against Brazil on Sunday.

Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze scored the opener in the last minute of the first-half, with Barcelona winger Lionel Messi chipping Sanchez perfectly to double the score and Juan Roman Riquelme sealing a place for Argentina in the final of the tournament from the penalty-spot just four minutes later.

The second Copa América semi-final began at the expected high tempo, with Argentina pressing in the opening minutes but not gaining headway against a well marshalled Mexico defence.

Argentina had the earliest threat on goal, with a weak attempt from Javier Zanetti in the 11th minute.

Roberto Ayala brought down Olympiakos striker Nery Castillo in the 13th minute, with the resultant free-kick going high and wide of Roberto Abbondanzieri’s goal.

West Ham United striker Carlos Tevez missed a left-footed shot in the 21st minute as Argentina started to apply the pressure, but Mexico’s counter attacking started to unhinge the Copa América favourites.

Inter Milan's Juan Sebastian Veron was booked for a clumsy foul against Andres Guardado, with Mexico again causing problems with their set-pieces.

Carlos Tevez had one of the best chances of the first-half, after a great piece of interplay between the Manchester United target and Juan Roman Riquelme, but the chance was bundled-up by the Mexico keeper.

The opener came in the last minute of the first-half from a free-kick awarded to Argentina, with Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze capitalising on an uncharacteristic mix-up in the Mexico defence, meeting the ball on the far-post and knocking it past Oswaldo Sánchez to make it 1-0 to Argentina.

Mexico came out for the second-half with huge intent, pushing Argentina back, but failing to capitalise on their chances.

Nery Castillo hit the crossbar ten minutes into the second-half as Mexico continued to press, but Argentina were deadly on the counter attack.

Lionel Messi doubled the score for Argentina in the 61st minute, with the Barcelona winger breaking down the right wing and sublimely chipping Oswaldo Sanchez to make it 2-0.

Mexico, still reeling from the second goal, were then deflated further after a penalty was awarded just four minutes later to seal Argentina’s third goal.

Carlos Tevez was brought down on the edge of the penalty area, with Juan Roman Riquelme sealing a place for Argentina in the Copa América 2007 Final from the penalty-spot, with Riquelme cheekily chipping Sanchez in the Mexico goal to seal the win.

Argentina will face current Copa América holders Brazil in the Final of the tournament in Maracaibo on Sunday, with Mexico to face Uruguay in the third-place play-off in Caracas on Saturday.