SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- A wild day of soccer at the Pan American Games led to the expected final matchup of Brazil vs. Argentina.

Argentina tied its semifinal with Colombia in the final seconds of injury time Tuesday, then won it in overtime 2-1. Then Brazil got a late goal despite being down a man to beat Mexico 1-0.

The two South American rivals, using young teams with little international experience, were relieved just to survive the heat and the grit of their opponents. They meet Friday.

Colombia, playing its best soccer of the tournament, looked to have staged an upset after taking a 70th-minute lead on a rebound goal by Abel Aguilar. But Argentina's Manuel Perrone, who had come on as a substitute 20 minutes earlier, sent a looping header over goalkeeper Hector Landazuri into the top corner just before the final whistle.

The Colombians protested vigorously that too much time was allowed in injury time.

"He had no justification for that,'' Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda said. "As a result, my team lost its head, got distracted and ended up losing.''

The game went into overtime and, in the eighth minute Argentine striker Franco Cangele scored with a header off a cross by Walter Garcia. Shortly before, the Colombians were reduced to 10 men after Luis Gonzalez was sent off following two yellow cards.

Argentina coach Manuel Tojo was in no mood to talk about anything but his team's comeback.

"I don't think anyone should take anything away from our victory,'' he said.

Brazil, which had steamrolled its way to the semifinal with some typically scintillating play, looked uncomfortable at times against the Mexicans. And in the 66th minute, the Brazilians lost central defender Adailton with a red card.

In the 87th minute, Dagoberto caught up to a through pass from Diego Coelho and deftly flicked the ball over the Mexican goalkeeper before sending it into the net with the outside of his right foot.

Dagoberto then had to be stretchered off the field following celebrations in which teammates swamped him on the ground.