Mexico Reaches Final, 1-0

SAN DIEGO —  Although struggling to find the net Friday night, Mexico defeated defense-minded Guatemala, 1-0, at Jack Murphy Stadium to advance to the CONCACAF Gold Cup championship against Brazil.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored the only goal in the 64th minute to lead Mexico into Sunday’s final at the Coliseum. Guatemala and the United States will meet Sunday in the third-place game. The United States lost to Brazil, 1-0, in the other semifinal match played Thursday night.

Guatemala frustrated Mexico’s attack with a defensive strategy throughout the first half. The Guatemalans were able to withstand the Mexican attack by clogging up the penalty area with up to nine players. Mexico made matters easier for Guatemala by limiting its attack to the middle and right side.

Although Mexico kept attacking from the right in the second half, it was a defensive lapse that cost the Guatemalans the match.

Joaquin del Olmo sent a throw-in from the right side to Blanco, who dribbled past two defenders and put a shot past goalie Edgardo Estrada.

Guatemalan Edgar Valencia was ejected four minutes from the end after bringing down del Olmo from behind.