Brazil’s win eliminates U.S.

The United States was eliminated from the Copa America when Brazil defeated Ecuador, 1-0, and Mexico played a 0-0 tie against Chile on Wednesday in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela.

The United States, which lost to Argentina, 4-1, and to Paraguay, 3-1, needed Ecuador to beat Brazil in the second game of the doubleheader to remain in contention for a quarterfinal berth. The winless U.S. team plays its final game today against Colombia (0-2), which was also knocked out.

Brazil (2-1) was sluggish and needed a penalty kick by Robinho to beat Ecuador.

After a scoreless first half, and with Ecuador threatening, a foul was called in the 56th minute on Giovanni Espinoza for grabbing Robinho, who fell to the ground.

Despite the protests of the Ecuadoreans, the Real Madrid striker buried the penalty kick just to the left of goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga for his fourth goal in the South American championships. He leads the tournament in goals.

With the victory, Brazil finished second in Group B, setting up a quarterfinal rematch Saturday in Puerto La Cruz against Chile. Ecuador (0-3) goes home winless despite having fielded much of the same veteran squad that helped it qualify for the last two World Cups.

Chile (1-1-1) earned a quarterfinal berth with the tie, and Mexico (2-0-1), an invited guest along with the United States, already was assured of advancing.

“We’re gaining recognition and respect,” Mexico Coach Hugo Sanchez said. “I’m sure that whoever we face, whether it’s Argentina or Paraguay, neither of them want to play against Mexico.”

Chile lost to Brazil, 3-0, in their earlier meeting.

“The most important thing was to qualify,” Chile Coach Nelson Acosta said. “We wanted to score a goal, but the rival was difficult.”

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At Victoria, Canada, Atomu Tanaka’s goal in the 68th minute led Japan to a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica and virtually assured it of a place in the second round of the Under-20 World Cup.

The victory gave Japan six points and left it atop Group F while the Ticos suffered their second consecutive one-goal loss.

In their only previous meeting at the U-20 World Cup, Japan trounced Costa Rica, 6-2, in 1997 in Malaysia -- the island country’s largest margin of victory at any FIFA men’s event.

Nigeria defeated Scotland, 2-0.

In Burnaby, Edinson Cavani scored his second goal of the tournament to lead Uruguay to a 1-0 victory over Jordan.

Uruguay climbed atop Group B with four points while Jordan fell to last with one.

Cavani led all scorers in the South American qualifying tournament with six goals in nine games.

Spain also beat Zambia, 2-1.