Canada end Mexican unbeaten run to join them in FIBA Americas Championship semi-finals

Canada battled to a superb victory over Mexico at the FIBA Americas Championships ©Getty Images

Canada produced a superb performance today to stun the home crowd and inflict a first defeat of the tournament on hosts Mexico at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Americas Championships in Mexico City.

Mexico, already guaranteed a semi-final spot, have been in superb form throughout the competition so far, although they did trail throughout their match with Venezuela yesterday before edging clear in the final seconds for a 73-70 victory.

Today, they had no chance of making a similar comeback, however, as the Canadians dominated from the outset and swept into a 27-point lead midway through the third quarter.

They were pegged-back slightly by the end, but still managed to seal the victory 94-73, with Andrew Wiggins, the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA star who helped carry the Flame in the Opening Ceremony of July's Pan American Games in Toronto, leading the way with 17 points.

Athens 2004 Olympic champions Argentina are now the only unbeaten team in the competition, as they made it seven from seven with a 92-84 victory over Dominican Republic.

Once again, the South Americans were under pressure in the opening quarter before settling into the game, with Andres Nocioni accruing 25 points and five rebounds.

Like Mexico and now Canada, Argentina have already qualified for the last-four, but will face a tough match tomorrow against a Mexican team smarting for a response after their loss today.

Uruguay also celebrated an historic victory today to keep alive their hopes of progression ©AFP/Getty Images

The final spot in the semi-finals is still up for grabs, however, with every other team in the competition, including Dominican Republic, still having a chance of progressing.

Puerto Rico put themselves in a strong position, beating Panama 78-71 in a close match in which Jose Juan Barea made the difference with 15 points, four assists and one rebound.

Uruguay also gained their first win in 18 years in the second round of the FIBA Americas Championship, battling past Venezuela, 77-75, as the Venezuelans fell short in the dying stages for the second day in succession.

"I really think we deserved to win one of these games," said Uruguay’s coach Adrian Capelli.

"As I always say, it costs a lot but here we had the reward of winning an important one.

"We have heart, that is our biggest quality."

Panama are due to face Venezuela in the first match tomorrow, before Dominican Republic take on Canada and Uruguay look to continue their winning run against Puerto Rico.

The two finalists overall will qualify directly for next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The teams that place third, fourth and fifth will clinch a spot in next year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.