HANOVER, Germany, June 19 (Reuters) - Jared Borgetti turned from villain to hero as his goal gave Mexico a stunning 1-0 win over world champions Brazil to seal a place in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup on Sunday.

Borgetti, who failed to score in the first half despite

taking a penalty three times, emerged as Mexico's match-winner

by glancing home a 59th-minute header when he escaped his marker

Kaka and left goalkeeper Dida stranded.

Mexico, who defended superbly and in goalkeeper Oswaldo

Sanchez had the man of the match, are now unbeaten in 19 matches since Brazil beat them 4-0 in the Copa America last July.

Mexico, who face Greece in their last group match in

Frankfurt on Wednesday, join hosts Germany and Argentina in the

semi-finals, after they qualified from Group A on Saturday.

Brazil will meet Japan in Cologne, also on Wednesday, to

decide who takes the remaining place in the last four.

'I've been the coach of the Mexican team for three years and

it is very satisfying to see we are growing and able to beat the

very big teams,' said Argentine Ricardo La Volpe.

'We're getting better yet we play with the same style. We

play the same way whether its against a small or big country.'

DIFFICULT MATCH

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who according to some

records was in charge of his 100th international, said:

'They made it a very difficult match for us. They are in

except physical condition and they have very good coordination

on the ball as well. Very good ball skills.

'At the same time we had several opportunities that could

have been converted and changed the game but we simply didn't

convert them.'

A superb match full of attacking and creative soccer played

on a balmy night in northern Germany ended with Mexico top of

Group B with six points followed by Brazil and Japan on three

and Greece, who are bottom with none.

Both teams had plenty of chances on Sunday with a total of

27 shots or headers on goal but while Mexico found the net the

Brazilians squandered all of their 19 goal attempts.

They were unfortunate to be denied an equaliser after 68

minutes, though, when Adriano was ruled just offside after

powering in a header from a Kaka cross.

Ronaldinho, who tried to inspire his team without much

reward, summed up their night afterwards.

'We created lots of chances but they took advantage of a set

piece and scored. We have to train hard to avoid making the same

mistakes again.'

PENALTY DRAMA

All that was missing from a first half full of attacking

football and chances for both teams was a goal, although one

should have been scored after 30 minutes.

Mexico were awarded a penalty by Italian referee Roberto

Rosetti after Roque Junior clumsily bundled Borgetti over as

they chased down a loose ball.

Borgetti slammed the penalty past goalkeeper Dida but

Rosetti ruled that Mexico's Francisco Fonseca had encroached on

the kick and ordered a re-take.

As he did before the first kick, Borgetti looked to the

skies for inspiration but then slammed his spot kick against the

bar. Rosetti again signalled a re-take because Dida had moved

off his line.

So for the third time Borgetti glanced upwards for help but

Dida was the one whose prayers were answered as he saved the

third penalty by diving high to his right and punching the ball

out for a corner.

At the other end Adriano had two clear-cut chances and was

denied only by Sanchez's fingertips after 39 minutes when racing

through on goal, the keeper turning his low shot just round the

post.

The striker should have done better with another effort when

he sent the ball high and wide with time and space on his side.

Robinho, Ronaldinho and Adriano all wasted chances with some

wayward shooting or were thwarted by excellent defending.

Aaron Galindo, Ricardo Osorio and Carlos Salcido were

outstanding at the back for Mexico who finished by far the

stronger team, brimming with confidence and elated at a job well

done.