Diego Forlan will win a record 80th international cap for Uruguay when he faces arch-rivals Argentina in the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Saturday.
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The Atletico Madrid forward celebrated a record-equalling 79th cap on Tuesday night as an Alvaro Pereira goal secured a 1-0 win over Mexico to secure Uruguay a meeting with the hosts.
Both Argentina and Uruguay have stuttered so far and had to settle for second place in their groups, meaning that they will meet earlier than expected in the tournament.
The two nations have each won the Copa America a record 14 times. Uruguay beat Argentina in the final of the first two tournaments, as well as in the final of the first World Cup in 1930.
Forlan, voted best player at the last World Cup, can now set a new caps record assuming he plays in the next round which would take him beyond the tally of Rodolfo Rodriguez, the former goalkeeper, set between 1976 and 1986.
Forlan made his international debut in 2002 in a pre-World Cup friendly against Saudi Arabia.
The 32-year -old striker still requires two goals to go level with Hector Scarone, the all-time Uruguayan top scorer, who netted 31 times between 1920 and 1930.
Although not finding the net on Tuesday, Forlan was a calming influence as the Uruguayans managed to negotiate an inexperienced Mexican side for their first victory after frustrating draws with Peru and Chile.
"This is basically the same group that went to the World Cup," Oscar Tabarez, the Uruguay coach, said. "But things have changed."
Claudio Borghi, the Chile coach, is happy with his side's displays so far as they topped Group C ahead of Uruguay, after a 1-0 win against Peru, who may also reach the last eight. "Chile deserved to win the group," he said. "I think our play was pretty good, and I'm content."
Chile have been the best team in the group stage, following on from last year's World Cup in which they reached the second round for the first time since 1962.
"We've never had this [been favourites], and now that we have it we have to take advantage," Borghi said. "It's doesn't weigh on me being a candidate. When this team plays, it looks like a candidate to win it."
* Compiled by The National staff
