RUSTENBURG, South Africa - Uruguay secured the top spot in Group A with a 1-0 win over Mexico on Tuesday, although the Mexicans still advanced to the knockout round at the expense of host South Africa.
Luis Suarez scored the winner in the 43rd minute, after running unmarked to the back post and heading in Edinson Cavani's cross for his first goal of the tournament.
Mexico advanced to the round of 16 thanks to a better goal differential than South Africa, which beat France 2-1.
Uruguay and Mexico went into the last group game sharing the lead with four points and needing only a draw to advance. But they both fielded attacking lineups. Even so, the game yielded few scoring chances.
"The important thing is that we qualified in first place," Uruguay striker Diego Forlan said. "They controlled the ball well, and in truth, it was quite hard for us."
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Uruguay, which did not concede a goal in the first round to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1990, ended the group phase with seven points.
"We had bad moments but also good moments," Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said. "I think it was a lack of experience."
Mexico and South Africa finished with four points.
"It leaves a bitter taste," Mexico midfielder Rafael Marquez said. "We're all unhappy with this result and with today's performance. We'll have to improve now."
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre preserved an attacking lineup that helped his team beat France 2-0 in its last game. Veteran striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, at 37 the oldest outfield player at the tournament, replaced the injured Carlos Vela as Mexico retained its 4-3-3 formation.
Tabarez made just one change to the lineup that beat South Africa 3-0. He brought in defender Mauricio Victorino for Diego Godin.
The Uruguay coach said he had been "bothered" by talk before the game that the teams might play for a draw.
"It's an insult to the coaches and players. Both teams came out looking for something," Tabarez said.
But the match was mostly subdued.
Forlan never sparkled, and the Mexicans fell far short of the quality they showed against France.
"We'll now attempt to regroup and recover and wait for our next rival," Aguirre said of Argentina. "We'll put up a good fight."
Mexico's best chance came in the 22nd when Andres Guardado fired a left-foot shot from 30 yards that bounced back off the underside of the crossbar.
Francisco Rodriguez had Mexico's best chance to equalize in the 64th when he dived to meet a cross from substitute Pablo Barrera, but his header glanced wide.
ON TV
Today
• United States vs. Algeria 7 a.m., ESPN
• Slovenia vs. England: 7 a.m., ESPN2
• Ghana vs. Germany 11:30 a.m., ESPN
• Australia vs. Serbia: 11:30 a.m., ESPN2
Thursday
• Slovakia vs. Italy 7 a.m., ESPN
• Paraguay vs. New Zealand: 7 a.m., ESPN2
• Denmark vs. Japan 11:30 a.m., ESPN
• Cameroon vs. Netherlands: 11:30 a.m., ESPN2
TEAM USA TODAY
• What: United States vs. Algeria
• When: 7 a.m.
• TV: ESPN
ESCAPING GROUP C
Three ways the U.S. would advance:
• Beat Algeria
• Tie with Algeria and England loses
• Tie with Algeria and Slovenia-England tie, but England does not outscore U.S. by two or more goals
More coverage and TV schedules / B4
