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Uruguay beats Argentina to qualify for Olympics

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-02-11 11:14

AREQUIPA - Uruguay earned a berth at the 2012 London Olympics after beating Argentina 1-0 on Wednesday in the second round of South American qualifying for the Under-20 World Cup.

Matias Vecino scored in the 65th minute for the win that gave Uruguay 10 points from four matches with the one round remaining. The top two teams in qualifying earn spots in London and the top four advance to the U20 World Cup later this year in Colombia.

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The loss will make it difficult for Argentina to advance to the Olympics, where it won the last two football gold medals in 2004 and 2008.

Uruguay will be playing in its first Olympic football tournament since it won back-to-back gold in 1924 and 1928.

Brazil defeated Ecuador 1-0 through Casemiro's goal and is in position to claim the second London berth. Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina have clinched three of the four spots in the U20 World Cup.

Chile defeated Colombia 3-1 in the day's other match. Colombia, which gets an automatic place at the U20 World Cup as host, took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd minute with an own-goal by Cristian Magana, but Chile responded with goals from Felipe Gallegos, Ramses Bustos and Bryan Carrasco.

After four matches in the second round, Uruguay has 10 points, Brazil nine, Argentina six, Ecuador five, Chile three and Colombia one.