Colombia win Copa America for the first time

Colombia won the Copa America for the first time on Sunday, beating nine-man Mexico 1-0 in the final of a tournament devalued by the absence of Argentina and the top players of most other countries.

Defender Ivan Cordoba headed the winner in the 65th minute of a vicious, bad-tempered final in which Paraguayan referee Ubaldo Aquino, who never looked in control of the game, allowed punches, kicks and bad tackles to go unpunished.

Mexico had Juan Rodriguez sent off in the 80th minute for a tackle from behind on Jairo Castillo, and Gerardo Torrado dismissed in injury time.

Coach Javier Aguirre was also ordered from the touchline in the first half for repeatedly moving out of his technical area and the match finished amid furious protests from the Mexican team.

Colombia, in the final for the first time since 1975 when they lost to Peru, completed the competition with a 100 percent record and without conceding a goal in six games.

Mexico have taken part as guests since 1993 and it was the second time they have finished as runners-up.

The match, between two teams who are struggling to qualify for next year's World Cup, was briefly halted in the fifth minute when two late-arriving parachutists, who were taking part in the closing ceremony, landed on the pitch as play was in progress.

Aristizabal hit the post early on but the competition's leading scorer with six goals limped off in the 32nd minute with a pulled thigh muscle and was replaced by Jairo Castillo.

Mexico were missing veteran captain Alberto Garcia Aspe, who was suspended after being sent off in the semi-final win over Uruguay.

Colombia took a grip on the game early in the second half with Castillo and Geovanny Hernandez both coming close to giving them the lead.

Mexico's best effort was in the 64th minute with a powerful free kick by Ramon Morales which goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba did well to save.

Colombia's winner came one minutes later when Cordoba rose to head in a free kick taken by Ivan Lopez.

Most times, including Colombia and Mexico, fielding experimental sides at the Copa, preferring to concentrate their efforts on qualifying for next year's World Cup.

Argentina did not take part at all because of the chaotic organisation of the tournament which went ahead at six day's notice after earlier being postponed to next year.