Goal fest as Mexico crush 10-man Paraguay

Mexico's Fernando Arce celebrates the fourth goal of his team over Paraguay during their Copa America 2007 quarterfinals match in Maturin, Venezuela. Mexico won 6-0.

A double from Nery Castillo helped Mexico book their spot in the semi-finals of the Copa America here on Sunday with a goal fest which saw them beat 10-man Paraguay 6-0.

Two-time winners Paraguay's hopes took a battering early when goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla was given his marching orders after just two minutes for fouling Olympiakos striker Castillo in the box.

Castillo stepped up to convert the resulting penalty, and the 23-year-old claimed his second after 39 minutes when he found himself unmarked on front of the net, blasting in with his left foot to put himself top of the scorers for the Copa with four goals.

Gerardo Torrado claimed the second after 27 minutes when he beat the offside trap to find the net following a pass from Castillo.

All Paraguay's efforts came to no effect, dying in the hands of Mexican goalie Oswaldo Sanchez.

The battering continued after the break with a spectacular lob from Fernando Arce Ruiz (79) leaving Paraguay's defence and goalie Joel Zayas looking helplessly on as the ball flew over their heads and curled into the net.

Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez's substitutions hit the mark as Cuauhtemoc Blanco came on after 80 minutes and stepped up to convert a penalty four minutes from time with another late substitute Omar Bravo completing the scoreline one minute into extra time.

Mexico, who topped Group B after wins over Brazil and Ecuador, will next meet the winner of the tie between Argentina and Peru in the semi-finals as they bid for their first ever Copa America title after being runners-up twice in 1993 and 2001.

The other semi-final will see Brazil play Uruguay in Maracaibo on Tuesday.