BRUSSELS, June 3 (UPI) -- Mexico surprised powerhouse Italy and Spain was also a winner Thursday in their final World Cup tune-up games.
With only a week remaining before the start of the month-long gathering of the 32 best national soccer teams in the world, Mexico pulled off a 2-1 victory over the defending champion Italians in Brussels.
Carlos Vela and Alberto Medina produced the goals for Mexico, which will play in the first game on the World Cup schedule June 11 against host South Africa. France and Uruguay will join Mexico and South Africa in Group A.
Italy will be in Group F along with Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia. The Italians will play their first game against Paraguay June 14.
In Innsbruck, Austria, Spain recorded a 1-0 victory over South Korea, another World Cup qualifier. The lone goal came from Jesus Navas in the 86th minute.
Spain will begin World Cup action June 16 against Switzerland. South Korea's first game will be against Greece June 12.
The first weekend of the tournament will feature a game between the United States and England. They will meet June 12 in Rustenburg with the winner taking a large step toward the event's knockout round.
