Mexico 3 Brazil 3
A last-second strike by Brazil's veteran goal-scorer Romario sealed a 3-3 draw with an inspired Mexico side last night.
Romario notched his second goal of the night in the dying seconds of injury time to save Brazil from what appeared certain defeat in the international friendly match after Jesus Arellano put Mexico ahead at the end of regulation time.
Playing before 75,000 packed into Guadalajara's Jalisco stadium Mexico did much to quiet the criticism coming after a series of dismal performances - including last week's 2-0 World Cup qualifier loss away to the United States.
Captain Claudio Suarez gave the Mexicans an early dose of confidence, beating two Brazilian defenders to head home a corner kick at the 6th minute.
For the remainder of the first half Brazil's star-studded lineup, including Spanish La Liga stars Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos, were stymied by a tenacious Mexican defence anchored by Suarez, Rafael Marquez and goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, who made his international debut.
After the break, Antonio De Nigris, also making first appearance on the national team, put Mexico up 2-0, brilliantly volleying a Miguel Zepeda cross past Brazil keeper Rogerio at the 56th minute.
Brazil cut the deficit two minutes later when Edilson, who looked narrowly offside on the pass from Rivaldo, connected from close range.
Romario had been virtually invisible up to then but brought Brazil even when he was left unmarked at the far post after Lucio flicked on a corner kick at the 80th minute.
Second-half substitute Arellano appeared to give Mexico a much-needed victory when he lobbed over a charging Rogerio after being fed through by De Nigris.
But Romario again demonstrated why he remains a world-class finisher, acrobatically redirecting the ball past Sanchez with the outside of his right-foot just seconds before the final whistle. Reuters