Colombia won the Copa America for the first time last night, beating nine-man Mexico 1-0 in the final of a tournament devalued by the absence of Argentina and the top players of most other countries.
Defender Ivan Cordoba headed the winner in the 65th minute of a bad-tempered final in which Paraguayan referee Ubaldo Aquino allowed punches, kicks and bad tackles to go unpunished.
Mexico had Juan Rodriguez sent off in the 80th minute for a tackle from behind on Jairo Castillo, and Gerardo Torrado was dismissed in injury time.
Coach Javier Aguirre was also ordered from the touchline in the first half for repeatedly moving out of his technical area and the match finished amid furious protests from the Mexican team.
Colombia, in the final for the first time since 1975 when they lost to Peru, completed the competition with a 100 per cent record and without conceding a goal in six games.
Mexico have taken part as guests since 1993 and it was the second time they have finished as runners-up.
The match, between two teams who are struggling to qualify for next year's World Cup, was briefly halted in the fifth minute when two late-arriving parachutists, who were taking part in the closing ceremony, landed on the pitch as play was in progress.