Argentina and Mexico reach semis

All the latest news from the Copa America in Venezuela.

QUARTER-FINAL: ARGENTINA 4-0 PERU

Argentina earned a last-four contest with Mexico courtesy of a four-goal second-half salvo in Barquisimeto.

Messi, Tevez and Riquelme celebrate as Argentina run riot

A frustrating first half was soon forgotten as Juan Roman Riquelme linked up well with substitute Carlos Tevez and slammed a left-foot shot past goalkeeper Leao Butron after 47 minutes.

Tevez had been brought on for the ineffective Diego Milito and he headed against the crossbar as Argentina ran riot.

The second goal soon came, Riquelme turning provider to play in Lionel Messi and the Barcelona man coolly slotting between the legs of Butron to double the lead.

Liverpool's Javier Mascherano made the game safe, tapping in after more brilliant inter-play between Messi and Tevez.

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Riquelme added gloss to the score five minutes from the end after Tevez beat his man and played him in and he finished with aplomb for his fourth goal of the tournament.

Argentina coach Alfio Basile:
"We played with lots of patience, moving the ball all over the field. Then in the second half, they paid dearly for all the running around and pressuring."

QUARTER-FINAL: MEXICO 6-0 PARAGUAY

Mexico booked their place in the Copa America semi-finals after a comprehensive victory over 10-man Paraguay.

Paraguay keeper Aldo Bobadilla was sent off for this challenge

Paraguay had goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla sent off after only five minutes for fouling Olympiakos striker Nery Castillo in the area and they never recovered.

Castillo, 23, stepped up to convert the penalty and Gerardo Torrado made it 2-0 on 27 minutes when he beat the offside trap to slot home.

Castillo then struck again six minutes before the break to top the Copa America scoring charts with four goals.

Mexico continued to dominate after the break but they had to wait until the 79th minute for the fourth goal, which came courtesy of a fine lob from Fernando Arce Ruiz.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted Mexico's second penalty before another late substitute, Omar Bravo, completed the rout with a header in injury time.

The result is Mexico's best in the competition.

Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez:
"Getting to the semi-finals is difficult in a continent to which we don't belong. But now that we're facing the best team, Argentina, we need to continue improving."

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Next fixtures (Kick-off times BST):

Wednesday 11 July - Semi-finals
Uruguay v Brazil (0150)