Striker Adolfo Bautista scored one goal and won a penalty as Mexico beat Ecuador 2-1 on Tuesday to knock their opponents out of the Copa America football tournament in Peru.

Ecuador finished bottom of group B after losing all three matches, never recovering after a 6-1 hammering at the hands of Argentine in their first game.

Mexico topped the group with seven points.. Argentina, who beat arch-rivals Uruguay 4-2, finished second in the group with six points and will face hosts Peru in their quarter-final in Chiclayo on Saturday. Uruguay, who finished third with four points, are guaranteed to qualify as one of the two best third-placed teams.

Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe, whose side were already sure of a quarter-final place before kickoff, made five changes to the team which beat Argentina 1-0 on Saturday.

One of the players brought in was defender Claudio Suarez, the world's most capped international, who was made his 172nd appearance at the age of 35, having surprisingly been recalled for the Copa.

The UNL-Tigres player gave a typically solid performance.

Suarez and Gerardo Torrado both tested Jacinto Espinoza with early headers which the Ecuador goalkeeper tipped over the crossbar.

Ecuador had plenty of possession but Mexico took the lead with a controversial penalty when Espinoza was judged to have fouled Bautista and Hector Altamirano converted the penalty in the 27th minute.

Agustin Delgado had Ecuador' best first-half effort with a bicycle kick from Ulises de la Cruz' cross and Kleber Chala had an excellent chance when Alex Aguinaga' corner found him at the far post but he failed to connect.

Mexico delivered a knockout blow three minutes before halftime when Duilio Davino floated a long ball out of the defence, the linesman's flag stayed down and Bautista broke clear to thump the ball past a helpless Espinoza.

Ecuador suffered another blow shortly before halftime when Espinoza was carried off injured and replaced by Damian Lara.

Mexico coasted through the second half, even replacing Bautista with defender Mario Mendez on the hour.

The move handed the initiative to Ecuador, who pulled a goal back 11 minutes later when Delgado headed home Franklin Salas's chipped cross.

Ecuador were close to an equaliser shortly afterwards in a huge goalmouth scramble but Mexico managed to clear.