The first half was dominated by Uruguay, who took the lead on 12 minutes through Luiz Suarez, who scored his fourth goal of the competition. His shot took a slight deflection of Dario Veron before going in off the post.
Three minutes before the break it was 2-0. The 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan grabbed his first goal of this Copa America, smashing a fine first time finish past Justo Villar from inside the area.
It was Forlan again who put the seal on the win for Uruguay when he scored his second and their third in the final minute. Suarez headed the ball into his path, and the Atletico Madrid striker slid a precise finish past the onrushing Villar.
As well as winning the tournament, Uruguay have now also qualified for the 2013 Confederations Cup, as the representatives of South America. After the game, Suarez was announced as the 2011 edition’s best player.
Peru’s Paolo Guerrero finished as the top goalscorer with five, while Villar won the best goalkeeper award. Despite reaching the final, Paraguay went through the whole tournament without winning a game, and did not score at all after the group stage.
