Mexico's Ramon Morales (11) celebrates with teammates Jaime Correa (right) and Rafael Marquez after he scored their second goal against Brazil in the Copa America tournament in Puerto Ordaz, on Wednesday night. - Reuters

MARACAIBO, Venezuela (AP):

DAY TWO of the Copa America and the tournament heavyweights continue to struggle.

An ailing Mexican team missing several regular starters owing to injury stunned defending champion Brazil 2-0 on Wednesday night, thanks to an incredible second-half performance by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

Despite missing all-time scoring leader Jared Borgetti, who injured his left leg on Sunday in the Gold Cup final loss to the United States, Mexico put an unknown Brazilian team on alert early.

Nery Castillo regathered his own chip over the head of the last Brazilian defender to score in the 23rd minute and a free kick by Roman Morales put El Tri up 2-0 at half-time.

After that Ochoa, taking over in goal for Oswaldo Sanchez, made a series of incredible saves to preserve the win.

Real Madrid forward Robinho, who put the ball over the crossbar on a first-half bicycle kick, also saw an angled shot deflected by Ochoa.

Both teams were fielding junior teams. In addition to Borgetti, three other regular starters asked to be rested from coach Hugo Sancez' roster following the Gold Cup loss.

Andres Guardado, who travelled to Venezuela after leaving Sunday's match in Chicago with a concussion, didn't see action against Brazil.

Earlier, Chile rallied with two goals in the last 10 minutes for a 3-2 win over a veteran Ecuador side, which came to Venezuela seeking to continue the strong play that saw it qualify for the past two World Cups.

In the first two days of the South American championship, none of the favourites going into the tournament has been able to turn on their supposed supremacy.

In Group A match-ups on Tuesday, Peru upset 3-0 a lifeless Uruguay, who are tied with Argentina for the most tournament wins, and hosts Venezuela's home crowd was good enough only for a 2-2 draw against relatively weak rivals, Bolivia.