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Sanchez nets winner as Uruguay clinches third
Vicente Sanchez rebounded from his decisive missed penalty kick in the semifinals by scoring the game-winner as Uruguay beat Colombia 2-1 in the Copa America third-place playoff on Saturday. Sanchez's blocked kick in the penalty shootout helped Brazil win their semifinal, but against Colombia he made a beautifully weighted left-foot lob over goalkeeper Juan Carlos Henao for the winner nine minutes from the end. Fabian Estoyanoff nailed a cross in the third minute to give Uruguay a 1-0 lead, but Sergio Herrera tied the score on a penalty kick in the 71st minute. Argentina and Brazil squared off in Sunday's final in Lima. Uruguay appeared to take the match less seriously than Colombia by retaining only two starters from the semifinals - defenders Joe Bizera and Carlos Diogo - but the Celeste dominated the first half and celebrated after the whistle as if they had won their 15th Copa. The victory ended Uruguay's six-match winless streak to Colombia since 1995, including a 5-0 hiding just last month in World Cup qualifying. "Without a doubt we have played better in Peru than in World Cup qualifying and that has made our Copa America worthwhile," said Uruguay defender Guillermo Rodriguez. Osasuna forward Richard Morales announced it was his farewell match for Uruguay. Captain Paolo Montero and Sevilla striker Dario Silva have also hinted at retiring from international duty. Colombia, the 2001 champion, started eight from the 3-0 loss to Argentina in the quarter-finals, resting strikers Tressor Moreno and Edwin Congo, and midfielder Oscar Diaz. "We committed some errors that cost us the game," said Colombia midfielder John Viafara. "The game was wide open. We obviously would have liked to have won this one." |
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