Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored in the 64th minute when he broke through the defense and beat goalie Edgar Estrada to give Mexico a 1-0 win over Guatemala Jan. 19 in the semifinals of the Gold Cup.
Mexico was unable to take advantage of its domination (14-3 edge in shots) because of a stellar performance by Estrada, who had been the goat of the Guatemalans’ 1-0 loss to Mexico in the first round five days earlier.
Blanco was one of four Olympic players coach Bora Milutinovic started. The others were Club America teammates German Villa and Raul Rodrigo Lara and 19-year-old sweeper Dulio Cesar Davino of UAG.
The match was watched by a huge crowd of 42,221 at Jack Murphy Stadium. The majority of fans were Mexican supporters, but thousands of Guatemalan fans had traveled from across Southern California to watch the game.
Mexico plays Brazil in the final Jan. 21 at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The USA meets Guatemala in the third-place game.
Jan. 19 in San Diego
Mexico 1, Guatemala 0. Goal: Blanco 64.
Mexico — Campos; Del Olmo, Davino, Suarez, Villa; Blanco, Garcia Aspe (A.Garcia, 74), Lara, Ramirez; Pelaez, L.Garcia.
Guatemala — Estrada; G.Rueno, Acevedo, Miranda, Machon, Giron; Leon (Plata, 72), Julio Rodas (Lemus, 46), Jorge Rodas (Castaneda, 80); Valencia, Westphal.
Referee: Baharmast (USA).
Att.: 42,221.