Socceroos narrowly beaten by World Cup co-hosts Mexico in penultimate warm-up

Defender Johan Vasquez scored the only goal of the match, expertly guiding a header from Alexis Vega's corner into the net midway through the first half.

Mexico dominated possession but Australia, playing mostly on the counter and generally solid in defence, missed several good opportunities to quieten the partisan crowd.

The match took place at the historic venue that hosted the last World Cup final in the United States in 1994, although the Rose Bowl will not be used in this summer's tournament.

The vast majority of supporters were dressed in green for Mexico, which will co-host the 2026 edition alongside the USA and Canada, with only a few splashes of Australian yellow scattered around the huge stands.

Although Mexico controlled the ball from kick-off, the first decent chance fell to Australia's Jackson Irvine, who snatched at a loose ball from a free kick cross and steered it just wide.

But El Tri began to make their dominance count. The dangerous Luis Chavez whipped a diagonal cross to Vega, whose glancing header was instinctively tipped over the crossbar by Mathew Ryan.

Moments later, Mexico scored. The opener came from Vega's outswinging corner, deftly headed down by Vasquez and bouncing in off the inside post, beyond the reach of an outstretched Ryan.

It was poor defending at the set-piece from Australia, who had a significant height advantage, including the presence of six-foot-six defender Harry Souttar.

The Socceroos had a golden opportunity to equalise on the verge of half-time.

Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel raced off his line to claim a long ball, but defender Mateo Chavez Garcia ignored the call, instead heading the ball straight into the path of Australia's Mohamed Toure.

The 22-year-old Norwich City striker, born at a refugee camp in Guinea to Liberian parents before moving to Australia as a child, had an open goal but somehow guided his lobbed effort wide to the left.

Australia began the second half much more proactively. Aiden O'Neill had a powerful long-range effort well saved.

Both sides began to make multiple substitutions. Mexico brought on 40-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who is preparing for his sixth World Cup, a record he is likely to share with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Australian substitutes Paul Okon-Engstler and Ajdin Hrustic combined for a chance, but Hrustic's shot from just inside the box was well blocked.

Although Australia had greater control in the second half, Mexico thought they had scored a second goal with a quarter of an hour remaining, Jesus Gallardo's shot accidentally deflected in by Hrustic.

But the referee was still spraying the foam line for Australia's defenders to stand behind and ruled out the effort, much to the anger of Mexico's players and noisy fans.

Mexico will have one more warm-up game against Serbia on home turf on Thursday before they open the World Cup on June 11 against South Africa in Mexico City.

Mexico's Group A also contains South Korea and the Czech Republic, while Australia have been drawn with co-hosts USA as well as Paraguay and Turkey.