Forlan scores in Uruguay win

Manchester United striker Diego Forlan was on the scoresheet as Uruguay defeated Ecuador 2-1 to boost their chances of reaching the last eight of the Copa America.

The first half of the Group B clash in Chiclayo saw few chances, with Uruguay’s Juventus defender Paolo Montero coming closest with a header that hit the woodwork.

Ecuador pushed forward in the second half but Forlan opened the scoring in the 60th minute with a looping shot from the edge of the area.

Franklin Salas equalised in the 73rd minute, but five minutes later Carlos Bueno gave Jorge Fossati his opening win as Uruguay boss.

This was Uruguay’s first victory in a competitive match since last November - they have drawn one World Cup qualifier and lost the other three and drew in their opening Copa America game 2-2 against Ecuador cannot qualify for the quarter-finals now after two defeats in a row (Argentina beat them 6-1 in the first group game), and this could mean the end of Hernan “Bolillo” Gomez’s era as manager.

Mexico stunned Copa America favourites Argentina with a 1-0 victory in their Group B clash.

Ramon Morales scored the only goal of the game with a superb free-kick in the eighth minute to leave Mexico needing only a point against Bolivia to reach the tournament’s quarter-finals.

Argentina are now forced to beat Uruguay in the final Group B game to secure their qualification.

After going ahead so early, Mexico concentrated on defence and continued to frustrate the Argentinians.

Javier Zanetti had a long-range shot well saved in the 17th minute and Mexico keeper Oswaldo Sanchez cut out some dangerous crosses.

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa sent three more forwards – Carlos Tevez, Luciano Figueroa and Mauro Rosales – on in the second half to join Barcelona’s Javier Saviola.

But they were all frustrated by Sanchez and showed none of the attacking flair that saw them beat Ecuador 6-1 in the opening group game.

:: Bayern Munich’s Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro has suffered a fractured skull and will miss the remaining matches of the Copa America his country is hosting.

Pizarro was sent off near the end of Peru’s 3-1 victory over Venezuela on Friday night and he left the pitch with no sign of any injury.

But during the night he complained of headaches and tests showed the fracture.

“He needs at least a month’s rest,” said Peru team doctor Ramon Aparicio. “There was no haemorrhage but he can’t play in this condition. We will keep checking on his recovery.”