Mexico got spectacular goals from striker Nery Castillo and midfielder Ramon Morales midway through the first half and held off a second-half onslaught to earn a 2-0 win over the defending champion in their opening Group B game Tuesday.
The Uruguayan-bred Castillo, who put on quite a show in a losing effort against the USA in Chicago, flicked the ball over defender Juan's head and then past Brazil goalkeeper Doni without letting it touch the ground to give the Tri the lead.
Morales added a second goal, curling his free kick from 30 yards around the Brazilian wall and past Doni.
Brazil came to life when it brought on teenager Anderson, the recent Manchester United signing, and Afonso, from tiny Dutch club Heerenveen, but goalie Guillermo Ochoa saved Mexico with several world-class saves.
The closest Brazil came to scoring was when Robinho hit the woodwork.
Mexico captain Rafael Marquez, who only played against the USA at the Gold Cup because of commitments with Spanish club Barcelona, said it was too early to celebrate.
"Beating a team like Brazil is a great thrill and gives Mexico something to cheer about after our sad defeat against the United States in the Gold Cup,'' he said. "But we need to take the victory calmly. There's still plenty of work to do.''
In the other Group B opener, Chile twice came from one-goal deficits on goals by Humberto Suazo, then got a goal from substitute Carlos Villanueva on an 87th-minute free kick to beat Ecuador, 3-2.
June 27 in Puerto Ordaz
Mexico 2 Brazil 0. Goals: Castillo 21, Morales 29.
Mexico -- Ochoa, I.Castro (J.Castro, 64), Marquez, Magallon, Pinto, Arce, Correa, Torrado, Morales (Lozano, 78), Cacho (Bravo, 74), Castillo.
Brasil -- Doni, Maicon (Daniel Alves, 78), Alex, Juan, Gilberto, Gilberto Silva, Mineiro, Elano (Afonso, 46), Diego (Anderson, 46), Robinho, Vagner Love.
Referee: Sergio Pezzota (Argentina).
Att.: 35,000.
June 27 in Puerto Ordaz
Chile 3 Ecuador 2. Goals: Suazo 21, 80, Villanueva 87; Valencia 16, Benitez 23.
Chile -- Bravo, Ormeno, Contreras, Vargas, Gonzalez, Sanhueza, Melendez (Villanueva, 73), Valdivia, Fernandez (Riffo, 46), Navia (Lorca, 46), Suazo.
Ecuador -- Mora, de la Cruz, Hurtado, Espinoza, Bagui, Castillo, E.Tenorio, Valencia, Mendez, Benitez, Tenorio (Caicedo, 76).
Referee: Oscar Julian Ruiz (Colombia).
Att.: 35,000.
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