[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] Who needs Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Mark van Bommel when you have Robin van Persie?

In his first international match in six months, the Arsenal striker scored two first-half goals and gave the Netherlands a deserved 2-1 win over Mexico in a World Cup warmup match Wednesday in Freiburg, Germany.

“At times, we played beautifully tonight,” said Van Persie, who suffered a serious ankle injury in the Oranje's game against Italy in November.

The game was the last before Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk will cut his roster down to 23 players.

Mexico had played England on Monday, starting most of its first-team players, so Tri coach Javier Aguirre gave many reserves a start against the Dutch, who dominated the first half.

Javier Hernandez scored the lone goal for Mexico in the 74th minute.

POSITIVE BLUES. France's warmup campaign began on a positive note as the Blues beat Costa Rica, 2-1, on Mathieu Valbuena's late goal in his international debut.

Coach Raymond Domenech tried out in a new 4-3-3 formation and got a half out of veteran defender William Gallas, playing is first match since March 31.