Mexico rout Uruguay

Caracas: Mexico exploited the 38th-minute expulsion of Uruguayan captain Diego Lugano for three goals and rallied for a 3-1 victory that gave El Tri third place at the Copa America. Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted the penalty, and Omar Bravo and Andres Guardado added second-half goals for Mexico. Sebastian Abreu gave Uruguay the lead in the 22nd minute. Argentina and defending champions Brazil square off in the tournament final on Sunday in Maracaibo. — AP

Murali honoured

Kandy: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse saluted Muttiah Muralitharan as the strife-torn nation on Sunday celebrated the spin wizard’s incredible feats. Muralitharan, 35, became only the second bowler after Australian Shane Warne to claim 700 Test wickets on Saturday as Sri Lanka hammered Bangladesh by an innings and 193 runs to sweep the three-match series. Rajapakse threw an informal celebratory dinner for Muralitharan at the presidential palace on Saturday night attended by both teams and officials. Muralitharan received a plaque from the president as tributes poured in for the master bowler who needs just nine more wi-ckets to overtake the retired Warne’s world record of 708 wickets. — AFP