Figueroa helps Argentina avoid Brazil

Former Birmingham City striker Luciano Figueroa scored twice as Argentina defeated Uruguay 4-2 to avoid a clash with arch rivals Brazil in the quarter-finals of the Copa America.

Argentina needed two goals inside the last 10 minutes to secure the win.

They finished second in Group B, behind surprise winners Mexico, and will now face hosts Peru while Uruguay must wait on the result of Group C’s final round of games tonight to see who they face.

Argentina did not get off to the best of starts as Uruguay took a shock lead in the seventh minute through Fabian Estoyanoff.

But they quickly reacted and in the 20th minute drew level when Cristian Gonzalez converted a penalty after Cesar Delgado was fouled in the box.

Just one minute later they took the lead when Figueroa netted the first of his two goals.

Their chances of avoiding Brazil were increased when Uruguay were reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute with the dismissal of Joe Bizera for a second bookable offence.

Uruguay responded to the loss by pegging Argentina back to 2-2 just four minutes later when Roberto Abbondanzieri scored from long range.

Despite their one-man disadvantage, Uruguay stubbornly held on for most of the second half, but Argentina finally broke their resistance when Roberto Ayala netted in the 82 minute.

Figueroa netted his second in the 90th minute to secure the win for Argentina.

Earlier, Mexico beat Ecuador 2-1 to clinch the top spot in the group.

Hector Altamirano’s penalty in the 26th minute put the Mexicans in front and Adolfo Bautista then made it 2-0. Agustin Delgado scored a consolation for Ecuador late in the game.