avier Hernandez and Carlos Vela scored in a five-minute span of the second half, leading Mexico over New Zealand 2-0 on Wednesday night in a friendly between two World Cup teams that drew 90,526 to the Rose Bowl in California.
Hernandez, a 21-year-old forward, put El Tri ahead in the 54th minute with his third goal in two international games, beating goalkeeper Glen Moss with a header from seven yards from a cross from Carlos Salcido.
Hernandez, who leads Mexico’s first division with eight goals in seven games for Chivas Guadalajara, scored two goals on February 24 when he made his national team debut in a 5-0 rout of Bolivia in San Francisco.
Vela dribbled past three defenders in the 58th minute and slotted the ball in from 12 yards. The 21-year-old has just one goal in 17 games for Arsenal this season, including none in eight Premier League appearances.
Mexico plays South Africa in the World Cup opener on June 11, then finishes the first round against France and Uruguay. New Zealand is in a first-round group with defending champions Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia.