Two-goal Forlan fires Uruguay to Copa America glory

DIEGO FORLAN scored twice as Uruguay last night clinched a record 15th Copa America title with a comfortable win over Paraguay in Buenos Aires.

The Paraguayans reached the final without winning a single match in normal time but their fortune ran out against a vastly superior Uruguay side.

Uruguay bossed the first half with the pace and movement of Forlan and Luis Suarez proving particularly troublesome for Paraguay’s overworked defence.

Oscar Tabarez’s men could have gone ahead inside two minutes.

Suarez battled his way past two defenders and his scuffed shot was goalbound before Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar managed to smother it behind.

From the resulting Forlan corner, Diego Lugano powered a header on goal which was superbly parried by Villar, with the follow-up from Lugano blocked by the arm of Nestor Ortigoza on the line.

Paraguay’s defence had been the foundation for their run to the final but it was breached for the first time in six hours after 12 minutes.

The ball fell to Suarez in the area and the Liverpool striker turned smartly before clipping in a shot which beat Villar via Dario Veron’s leg and the left-hand post.

Paraguay almost conceded again shortly after the half-hour mark when Suarez put Forlan through but Villar blocked with his legs.

Suarez then turned the hapless Veron and lashed a shot into the side-netting before picking out Forlan, whose volley was easy for Villar.

Uruguay got the second goal three minutes before the break when Egidio Arevalo dispossessed Ortigoza before playing in Forlan and his powerful drive easily beat Villar.

Ortigoza almost redeemed himself nine minutes into the second period when his scooped pass found Nelson Haedo Valdez and his volley produced a wonderful save from Fernando Muslera.

Uruguay could have added a third with 16 minutes to go, when substitute Sebastian Eguren’s deflected effort was superbly saved by Villar.

But Tabarez’s men had the final say with a wonderful third in the final minute. Cavani swept a cross-field pass to Suarez, whose cushioned header was perfect for Forlan to run on to and slot past the advancing Villar.