Mexico have beaten fellow World Cup finalist’s Paraguay 2-1 in
Their international friendly encounter as both teams prepare for the Finals in June.

Due to the match not being played on a FIFA-sanctioned international match date, both teams had key players absent because they were not released by their clubs, most notably Mexico’s top-scorer Jared Borgetti, who was refused release by his club-side Bolton Wanderers for the match.

Borgetti’s fellow national striker Omar Bravo scored twice in the friendly, with a dramatic 82nd minute winner, to lead Mexico to a 2-1 win over Paraguay in Chicago.

Bravo, who plays for Mexican club-side Guadalajara, broke a 1-1 deadlock when he made a superb turn and shot past Paraguayan goalkeeper Derlis Gomez from the edge of the penalty box.

His opening goal, an equaliser, was from the penalty spot in the 31st minute after a foul by defender Pedro Benitz.

The two World Cup-bound squads met at Soldier Field, Chicago in front of an overwhelmingly pro-Mexican crowd of over 46,000.

Paraguay struck first in just the third minute when Nelson Cuevas scored to complete a sequence he began with an interception. The striker, who plays for Pachuca in Mexico, played a neat one-two with team mate Ricardo Cabanas before sliding the ball past goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.

Mexican defender Claudio Suarez, who was recalled for the first time since December, earned his 174th international cap, adding to the record he holds for international appearances for a non-goalkeeper, (With former Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea holding the all-time mark with 179).

Sanchez, Mexico's No. 1 keeper, came up with a handful of big saves, including a diving effort to push a long-range Ricardo Acuna shot against the post in the 38th minute.

But the late strike from Bravo was enough for El Tri to celebrate a valuable warm-up win over fellow World Cup opposition.

Mexico have been drawn in Group D alongside Angola, Portugal and Iran in the Finals.

Paraguay have been drawn in Group B against England, Sweden and Trinidad & Tobago.

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