Brazil Routs Mexico, 4-0
Striker Adriano scored a pair of goals and set up two others as Brazil defeated Mexico, 4-0, Sunday at Piura, Peru, and advanced to the semifinals of the Copa America.
Brazil -- which hadn’t reached the final four of the South American tournament since 1999 -- will play Uruguay, which beat Paraguay, 3-1, earlier Sunday. Argentina and Colombia play in the other semifinal of the South American tournament at National Stadium in Lima.
Adriano, the Copa America’s leading scorer with five goals, scored with a low left-footer from just outside the box in the 65th minute, and in the 78th after dribbling past goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and easily finding the net from inside the box.
Midfielder Alex had put Brazil ahead with a well-struck penalty kick in the 27th after Adriano was brought down inside the box by Sanchez. Alex waited until Sanchez fell to the right before easily sending his shot to the other side.
Replacement striker Ricardo Oliveira closed the scoring with a shot from about eight yards away after a pass from Adriano.
Dario Silva scored two second-half goals to send Uruguay past Paraguay at Tacna, Peru. He scored in the 65th minute and again in the 89th to help Uruguay reach the semifinals.
Carlos Gamarra gave Paraguay a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute, slipping behind the defense to score on a header off a free kick. But he opened the way for Uruguay to tie it in the 39th, tripping up forward Carlos Bueno in the penalty area. Bueno easily converted the penalty kick.
Asian Cup
Iraq returned to a major competition for the first time since the U.S.-led invasion a year ago, losing to Uzbekistan, 1-0, in the tournament opener for both teams at Chengdu, China. Mirdjalal Kasimov scored the goal on a free kick in the 22nd minute. In other Group C games, Turkmenistan tied three-time champion Saudi Arabia, 2-2, and Indonesia beat Qatar, 2-1.
Quick Passes
Former Marseille defender Manuel dos Santos was formally introduced by Benfica, a day after he signed a three-year contract with the Portuguese club. Dos Santos, 30, joined Monaco in 1995 and left in 1997 to join Montpellier, where he played three seasons before moving to Marseille in 2000.... Midfielder Diego Maradona Jr. has returned to Italy after a trial with Scottish Premier League club Dunfermline, according to manager Davie Hay. Hay said the 17-year-old son of Argentine legend Diego Maradona went back on his word by not extending his stay. The midfielder currently plays with Napoli.
