Brazil, playing their first competitive match under new coach Dunga, went two goals down within ten minutes midway through the first half when Nery Castillo and Ramon Morales both scored impressive individual goals for Mexico.
Mexico took the lead in the 21st minute with a sublime piece of skill by Castillo, who chose to play for Mexico this year after also being eligible for Uruguay and Greece.
Receiving the ball from over his shoulder inside the box, Castillo took one touch to control the ball, another to chip it over defender Juan and a final tap to stab the ball past advancing keeper Doni without the ball touching the ground.
It was a sublime piece of individual brilliance by Castillo, but eight minutes later Morales just about matched his teammate with a stunning 30-metre free kick that had Doni rooted to the spot.
Mexico arrived in Venezuela after Sunday's 2-1 defeat by the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final, without several key players and amid reports of rifts in the squad.
Defending champions Brazil, on the other hand, had played nine friendlies under Dunga since their disappointing World Cup exit last year, and lost only once.
It was Mexico's second successive win over Brazil following their 1-0 victory at the Confederations Cup two years ago.
"We lost concentration and conceded the goals," said Dunga.
"We recovered and showed our quality but the ball would not go in."
 |
|
Chile's Humberto Suazo scored two equalising goals against Ecuador
before teammate Carlos Villanueva netted the winner [AFP] |
Ecuador face Chile reception
The match was preceded by a five-goal thriller in which Luis Antonio Valencia and Cristian Benitez twice put Ecuador in front, only for Chile's Humberto Suazo to equalise each time.
Ecuador were twice denied by Claudio Bravo while leading 2-1 and paid heavily when substitute Carlos Villanueva curled in an 87th minute free kick.
"We're a good team that sometimes plays well," Nelson Acosta, Chile coach, said.
"Today, we didn't have a good game but we muddled through."
His counterpart Luis Fernando Suarez, Ecuador coach, said: "It was one of those games where the opponents don't beat you but you lose the game yourselves."
The Copa America continues on Thursday with Group C teams starting their campaigns in Maracaibo, with Paraguay playing Colombia in the opening match, ahead of favourites Argentina taking on the United States.