One players from each side was sent off for tackles from behind as Mexico came back from 2-0 down to grab a point.

Marc Wilmots got both Belgium goals, striking either side of the half-time while Alberto Garcia Aspe, with a penalty, and Cuauhtemoc Blanco were on target for Mexico in the second half.

Wilmots scored his first in the 43rd minute. The muscular mid-fielder found himself unmarked at the far post and steered a Luis Oliviera corner through the legs of Mexican 'keeper Jorge Campos.

Mexico had enjoyed the better of the early stages but their options were severely limited after defender Pavel Pardo became the latest victor of Fifa's clampdown on hard tackled. Scottish referee Hugh Dallas showed him the red card in the 29th minute for a challenge on Vital Borkelmans.

Wilmots added his second in the 48th minute, running on to a neat through pass from Enzo Scifo to beattwo Mexican defenders and slot the ball past the advancing Campos.

Mexico found themselves back on level playing, field in the 55th minute, when Gert Verheyen was sent off for a tackle from behind on Jesus Ramirez inside the box. Captain Garcia Aspe slammed the resultant penalty past Filip de Wilde.

Blanco then gave Mexico a spectacular equaliser in the 63rd minute. Substitute Jesus Arellanco found Ramirez on the left with a fine long pass and Blanco, at full stretch, volleyed home at the far post.

The Mexicans had been the dominant force in the early stages. Their best chance came in the 10th minute, when Joel Sanchez hit the post with a glancing header and Luis Hernandez saw his follow-up header cleared off the line.

They hit the bar again later in the half, when Hernandez put a long cross over from the right to Jaime Ordiales, standing at a narrow angle on the left side of attack. Ordiales, crossed high and the ball bounced off the top of the bar before Belgians were able to clear.