By Timothy Collings
RUSTENBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - Uruguay secured a place in the second round of the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990 when they beat Latin American rivals Mexico 1-0 on Tuesday.
The result meant Uruguay topped Group A and Mexico also went through despite losing by virtue of having a better goal difference than hosts South Africa. France finished bottom.
"We're going to take it one game at a time ... now we've been lucky enough to achieve our first goal which was to get through the group phase," said Uruguay's goalscorer Luis Suarez.
Mexico defender Rafael Marquez said the team would have to improve in the second round where they could face in-form Argentina.
In a tightly contested, but open game, with no sign of any intention to play for a draw, Uruguay, champions in 1930 and 1950, had to resist Mexican pressure in the closing stages to keep a third straight clean sheet.
The first half was littered with stoppages, tension seeming to grip both teams.
As the sun went down, Mexico, playing the more intricate football, had the best early chance when Andres Guardado fired in a wicked left-foot drive from 30 meters that rebounded off the bar.
But Uruguay were in no mood to be dazzled or unnerved and, combining strength with pace in attack, they gave as good as they received in an evenly-balanced and, at times, fascinating contest.
(Editing by Michael Holden)
