Brazil Beats Mexico, Gets Back to Final

Defending champion Brazil had little trouble defeating Mexico, 2-0, in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, Wednesday night to reach the final of the Copa America, South America’s premier soccer tournament.

First-half goals 17 minutes apart by Amoroso and Rivaldo were enough to end Mexico’s challenge in front of a crowd of 10,000.

Brazil will play Uruguay in Sunday’s final. Uruguay, a 14-time Copa America winner, defeated Chile, 5-3, on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie in regulation in the other semifinal Tuesday night.

Despite having in-form strikers Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Luis Hernandez in its lineup, Mexico was unable to penetrate Brazil’s defense, and goalkeeper Didi was tested only once--on a close-range header by Rafael Marquez.

At the other end, the Brazilian forwards caused numerous problems in the Mexico back line, especially in the 25th minute when a cross by Ze Roberto from the left hit a Mexican defender and rebounded to Rivaldo.

His header hit the post, but Amoroso was on hand to steer the rebound past goalkeeper Jorge Campos for his fourth goal of the tournament, tying him with teammate Ronaldo for the Copa America scoring lead.

In the 42nd minute, Rivaldo and Ronaldo exchanged passes before Rivaldo netted his third goal of the tournament, beating Campos with a left-foot shot from about 20 yards.