Brazil too much for Mexico in friendly

Juan Carlos Cacho

Brazil completed their preparations for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers with a 3-1 triumph over Mexico at the Gillette Stadium in Boston.


Brazil face Colombia and Ecuador next month and suffered a blow when Juan Carlos Cacho gave Mexico a first-half lead.


However, Kleber levelled before the interval with his first goal for the Selecao before Kaka put Brazil ahead for the first time with 10 minutes remaining.


And, despite the dismissal of Elano, Brazil extended their lead through substitute Afonso.


Mexico defender Jhony Magallon conceded his side were punished for their errors.


"We committed many mistakes and Brazil ... well, they never wasted those kind of gifts," he said.


Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho maintained he will travel anywhere to play for the national team.


"To play for Brazil always brings happiness," said the 27-year-old. "The exhaustion and the travels do not matter. I will always want to wear this shirt."


Colombia, who host Brazil in Bogota on October 13, recorded a 1-0 win over Paraguay at the the Campin stadium, Bogota.


Wason Renteria scored after 38 minutes with a powerful shot.


Colombia coach Jorge Luis Pinto said: "This was a good result for a young team that needs to gain confidence."


His Paraguay counterpart Gerardo Martino dismissed the importance of the result and was pleased with the performance of his side.


"The result, in this kind of game, is not important," said Martino. "We improved in defence and we showed some good things going forward, but we must work on our finishing."


Elsewhere, Peru had no problems defeating Bolivia 2-0 courtesy of goals from Paolo Guerrero and Juan Vargas.


One of the most surprising results of the day was the 2-1 defeat of Ecuador by Honduras in San Pedro Sula.


Finally, Venezuela had to work hard to draw 1-1 against Panama while Costa Rica held Canada to the same result.