Copa America wrap: Chile, Peru on brink

Peru joined Chile on four points at the top of Copa America Group C after beating Mexico 1-0 on Friday.

A goal from Hamburg striker Jose Paolo Guerrero eight minutes from time proved enough for Peru to inflict Mexico’s second defeat in as many games and send them out of the tournament.

It was a deserved win for Peru at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.

Neither team created any clear cut chances during an uninspiring first half, but Peru were the better side in the second 45 minutes.

Sergio Markarian’s team went close six times, hitting the woodwork twice through Juan Vargas.

Former Bayern Munich man Guerrero also missed two good opportunities with the head.

But he made amends when, with time running out, he was played onside by Javier Aquino, collecting Michael Guevara’s pass to beat Luis Michel in the Mexico goal.

In the other match in Group C on Friday, Uruguay were held to a 1-1 draw by Chile.

FC Porto man Alvaro Pereira had put Uruguay ahead 53 minutes into match, receiving the ball from Liverpool forward Luis Suarez before side footing past Chile goalkeeper Claudio Andres Bravo.

It took 11 minutes for Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez – reportedly in negotiations with Barcelona – to equalise.

The attacking midfielder latched on to a cutback from Jean Beausejour before delivering a precise toe-poke beyond Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera.

Sanchez and his teammates had chances to make it 2-1 in the remaining minutes, with Luis Jimenez and Mauricio Isla both going close.

They will now take on Peru in their final match of the group of Tuesday.

Uruguay, third in the group and two points behind the joint-leaders, are up against Mexico.