Robinho powers Brazil victory while Mexico rolls on
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
MATURIN (Venezuela), Jul 2 (AFP): Real Madrid midfielder Robinho scored a hat-trick for Brazil in a 3-0 victory Sunday over Chile and Mexico beat Ecuador 2-1 to book a quarter- final date in Copa America group B matches.
Robinho opened the scoring for Brazil thanks to a penalty in the 36th minute, and after a tense second half for the former world champions he grabbed a brace within six minutes of regulation time to get Brazil off the mark.
Brazil were stunned 2-0 by unfancied Mexico in their first group encounter, when Brazil had spurned chances to score in the second half - notably when Robinho's drive clipped the crossbar.
The Mexicans sealed a spot in the final eight with their second triumph, thanks to goals by Hery Castillo in the 22nd minute and Omar Bravo in the 80th.
Edison Mendez pulled one back in the 85th for Ecuador, but the South Americans could not find the equalizer against their North American guests.
Ecuador could still advance to the quarter-finals with a victory over Brazil on Wednesday in Puerto La Cruz, where the Mexicans will meet Chile.
Robinho opened the scoring for Brazil thanks to a penalty in the 36th minute, and after a tense second half for the former world champions he grabbed a brace within six minutes of regulation time to get Brazil off the mark.
Brazil were stunned 2-0 by unfancied Mexico in their first group encounter, when Brazil had spurned chances to score in the second half - notably when Robinho's drive clipped the crossbar.
The Mexicans sealed a spot in the final eight with their second triumph, thanks to goals by Hery Castillo in the 22nd minute and Omar Bravo in the 80th.
Edison Mendez pulled one back in the 85th for Ecuador, but the South Americans could not find the equalizer against their North American guests.
Ecuador could still advance to the quarter-finals with a victory over Brazil on Wednesday in Puerto La Cruz, where the Mexicans will meet Chile.