Mexico thrash Paraguay 6-0

Mexico stamped their passport to the semifinals of Copa América after the 6-0 trouncing of Paraguay, this Sunday, at the Monumental de Maturín Stadium. Victory began being designed in the first minutes of play, when Paraguay had a player sent off.

With 2 minutes on the clock, Nery Castillo broke into the box before being tripped by keeper Alfo Bobadilla for a penalty. The referee also gave the goalie his marching orders. Then, Nery Castillo did the honors from the spot.

The situation became comfortable for the Mexicans, who had taken the lead and had an extra man on the pitch. Paraguay replied on 14 minutes, with Cardozo coming close with a drive from the edge of the box. Defender Darío Verón almost drew level in two occasions.

But Mexico took full advantage of their counter-attacks to add a second, on 26 minutes. Striker Juan Carlos Cacho teeing up Gerardo Torrado for a powerful strike that doubled the lead. On 38 minutes, the death blow was given to Paraguay. Nery Castillo chested a Jaime Correa pass before beating keeper Joel Zayas. On 41 minutes. Mexico almost added a fourth, when Castillo left Correa alone in front of an empty goal, but his shot went wide.

In the second half, Mexico returned in a more relaxed mode, and during the game, coach Hugo Sánchez replaced his main player, Nery Castillo, to rest his striker. Paraguay did create chances to reduce the deficit, but the Paraguayans were off target.

While Paraguay insisted, Mexico broke dangerously on the counter. In one of these counter-attacks, Fernando Arce fired from distance to score Mexico’s fourth in the match, on 81 minutes. Soon after, on 86 minutes, Blanco extended the lead from a spot-kick. Omar Bravo closed the scoring on 91 minutes.