AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — Carlos Vela scored twice as Mexico beat the Netherlands 3-2 in a friendly on Wednesday to hand Guus Hiddink’s team its fourth defeat in five matches since he took over.
The defeat highlighted defensive frailties that have crept into the Dutch team since Hiddink replaced Louis van Gaal after the World Cup. It also heaped more pressure on the coach, who has hinted he will quit if his team loses Sunday’s European qualifier to Latvia.
Vela, playing his first international in more than two years, scored in the eighth and 62nd minutes after Wesley Sneijder had briefly equalized for the hosts early in the second half.
Javier Hernandez made it 3-1 for Mexico in the 69th minute and Daley Blind’s deflected drive reduced the deficit five minutes later.
"It’s clear we’re vulnerable," captain Arjen Robben said.
The Bayern Munich winger said it wasn’t just the defence to blame. "Up front, we have to score more goals."
The win gave Mexico a measure of revenge for being knocked out of the World Cup second round by the Dutch, whose 2-1 comeback victory was overshadowed by allegations of diving levelled at Robben. Mexico fans at the Amsterdam Arena jeered him almost every time he touched the ball.
Mexico was set on its way to Wednesday’s victory when Vera was given ample time and space in the middle by centre back Joel Veltman to curl a left-foot shot into the top corner of Tim Krul’s goal.
Sneijder drew the Netherlands level — as he did in the teams’ World Cup clash in Brazil — with a powerful volley four minutes after the break. It was the veteran midfielder’s 28th goal in his 110th international.
Vela put Mexico ahead again in the 62nd and Hernandez beat the offside trap before rounding Krul to make it 3-1 seven minutes later.
Blind gave the home team hope when his powerful shot was deflected past Guillermo Ochoa in the Mexico goal.
It was the fifth time in five matches under Hiddink since the World Cup that the Netherlands had conceded first.
"You have to learn very fast that you can’t do this at international level," Hiddink said of his team’s defensive lapses.
Hiddink rested Robin van Persie ahead of the crucial Latvia match and started with Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
But the Schalke forward couldn’t find the net and missed a gilt-edged chance when he steered a 43rd-minute corner wide from close range while unmarked at the far post.