Diego Forlan scored twice as Uruguay clinched a record 15th Copa America title and a place at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Paraguay in Buenos Aires. The Paraguayans had reached the final without winning a single match in normal time, but their fortune ran out against a the Uruguayans who were vastly superior.
Luis Suarez put La Celeste ahead after 12 minutes and Forlan doubled the lead 30 minutes later. An inspired Forlan then added a late third to tie Hector Scarone as Uruguay's leading goalscorer with 31.
"This really means a lot for me because my grandfather won it, my father won it and now I have also done it," said Forlan. "Three generations have won this trophy. The name of Forlan will stay in history."
Uruguay bossed the first half with the pace and movement of Forlan and Suarez proving particularly troublesome for Paraguay's overworked defence. Oscar Tabarez's men bristled with intent from the off and could have gone ahead inside two minutes.
Suarez battled his way past two defenders and his scuffed shot was goalbound before Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar managed to smother it behind. From the resulting Forlan corner, Diego Lugano powered a header on goal which was superbly parried by Villar, with the follow-up from Lugano blocked by the arm of Nestor Ortigoza on the line.
Paraguay's defence had been the foundation for their run to the final, but it was breached by Uruguay inside a quarter of an hour. The ball fell fortuitously to Suarez in the area and the Liverpool striker turned smartly before clipping in a shot which beat Villar via Dario Veron's leg and the left-hand post.
Paraguay almost conceded again shortly after the half-hour mark when Suarez put Forlan through, but Villar made an important block with his legs. Suarez then turned the hapless Veron and lashed a shot into the side-netting before picking out strike partner Forlan, whose volley was easy for Villar to handle.
Uruguay were dominating proceedings and were finally rewarded with a second three minutes before the break when Egidio Arevalo dispossessed Ortigoza to play in Forlan, whose powerful drive easily beat Villar to score his first goal in 13 international matches.
Ortigoza almost redeemed himself nine minutes after the interval when his chipped pass found Nelson Haedo Valdez and his volley produced a wonderful save from Fernando Muslera, the goalkeeper tipping the ball onto the bar.
Paraguay wasted another chance to get back into the contest after 62 minutes when midfielder Cristian Riveros failed to connect with Ivan Piris' cross at the near post after attempting an unnecessary back-heel. Paraguay's rally eventually petered out and Uruguay could have added a third with 16 minutes to go with Edinson Cavani picking out fellow substitute Sebastian Eguren, whose deflected effort was superbly saved by Villar.
However, Tabarez's men still had the final say with a wonderful third in the final minute. Cavani swept a cross-field pass to Suarez, whose cushioned header was perfect for Forlan to run onto and slot past the advancing Villar.
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