3/30/2006
AP

CHICAGO — Omar Bravo scored twice to lead Mexico to a 2-1 win over Paraguay in a World Cup tuneup match Wednesday night at Soldier Field.

Bravo collected the ball on a cross from Israel Lopez, spun, and shot into the lower left corner of the net for the deciding goal in the 82nd minute. His first goal — a penalty shot in the 31st minute — tied it at 1-1 when he easily beat keeper Derlis Gomez after being taken down by Pedro Benitz in the box.

The heavily favored Mexican team, which drew most of the game's 46,510 fans, found itself behind just three minutes into the game after Paraguay's Salvador Cabaas sent the ball to Nelson Cuevas, who finished for a 1-0 lead.

Mexican keeper Oswaldo Sanchez broke up numerous plays and finished with seven saves on the night — six in the second half, including a key stop in the 90th minute.

Veteran defender Claudio Suarez made his 174th international appearance with Mexico, breaking the FIFA record for international appearances with a national team held by Mohammed Al Deayea of Saudi Arabia.

Mexico and Paraguay move to 1-1 in matches at Soldier Field. Paraguay won the previous meeting 1-0 on Oct. 13, 1999.

Wednesday night's game marked the fourth in the 2006 U.S. Mexico Tour, with the three previous games played in California or Texas. Mexico is 3-1-0 on the tour, with the other wins coming against Norway and Ghana, and the loss to Korea.