Mexico scored twice in the final 20 minutes to defeat Iran 3-1 in their opening Germany 2006 match in Nuremberg on Sunday, 11 June 2006.
With the teams tied at 1-1, Omar Bravo capitalised on a mix-up in the Iran defence to slot home his and Mexico's second goal in the 76th minute. Three minutes later Zinha headed the third to seal victory for Ricardo La Volpe's side.
Bravo had earlier given Mexico the lead after 28 minutes before Iran drew level on 36 minutes through defender Yahya Golmohammadi.
The match:
4': Iran began with no hint of nerves, asking early questions of their Mexican opposition. Roaring forward, their German connection threatened a goal as Bayern Munich's Ali Karimi laid a nice ball through to Mehdi Mahdavikia. But the Hamburg midfielder sliced his 25-yard shot just wide of Oswaldo Sanchez's left-hand post.
11': Vahid Hashemian went even closer for the impressive Iranians. Unable to make contact with a fine cross from the right, the Hanover 96 striker met the resulting bit of service from the left with a strong header, only to see it saved well by a sprawling Sanchez.
14': Mexico began to look dangerous on the counterattack and Ricardo Osorio's cross from the right nearly caught out Ebrahim Mirzapour after taking a wicked deflection.
23': Now asserting themselves after a slow start, Mexico's Barcelona star Rafael Marquez spurned an opportunity with a header from a corner. Ultimately, it hardly troubled Mirzapour as the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar. Seconds later, Bravo broke down the right but his cross was wasted as it failed to reach Jared Borgetti.
28': The rising tide finally crashed on the Iranians as Pavel Pardo's free-kick from the right was nodded on by Guillermo Franco and poked home at the back post by Bravo. (1-0)
36': Seemingly from nothing, an Iranian equaliser. Sanchez came flying off his line to collect a corner from Karimi but a slight deflection saw the ball fall to the feet of full-back Golmohammadi, who made no mistake as he hammered it into the roof of the net. (1-1)
Borgetti limps off
52': Jose Fonseca of Cruz Azul took the field after Borgetti, Mexico's all-time top scorer, limped off with what looked like a sore left knee.
56': El Tri seemed unsettled by the withdrawal of Borgetti and Mahdavikia did his best to take advantage of some confusion in the Mexican rearguard. His hopeful shot from 25 yards missed Sanchez's far post by a whisker.
63': Iran's turn to lose an influential member of their side as Karimi made way for Mehrzad Madanchi. With concerns over his match fitness before the game, coach Branko Ivankovic seemingly decided to withdraw his Bundesliga star rather than push him too hard.
76': Mexico punished a mistake in the Iranian defence as substitute Zinha snuck in to cut out a sloppy pass and lay a beautiful through-ball to Bravo. The striker made no mistake in slotting home his second goal of the match. (2-1)
79': Zinha added a third to put the result beyond doubt. After a brilliant bit of dribbling, he kept his run going and nodded home the return cross from Fonseca to seal the three points for Mexico. (3-1)
In conclusion:
Iran suffered for their late collapse as Mexico finished with a 3-1 win which was arguably harsh on Ivankovic's men. The Mexicans will face Angola in their next match with confidence, but Iran – who looked a dangerous side in parts – must pick themselves up before facing Portugal.
