Mexico stepped up their preparations for the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Australia at the Rose Bowl.

Johan Vasquez headed home in the 28th minute on Saturday, as the World Cup co-hosts saw off the Socceroos.

Neither Mexico nor Australia have yet named their final selections for the tournament, but this was the last match before the deadline, giving players one more chance to stake a claim.

Defender Vasquez proved decisive as he headed in from Alexis Vega's corner, as Mexico coach Javier Aguirre made nine changes from the starting 11 that beat Ghana 2-0 in El Tri's last match.

Australia did not create much of note, though Luis Chavez's error almost proved costly on the stroke of half-time. Mohammed Traore, however, failed to capitalise.

Ajdin Hrustic tested long-serving Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in the second half, while Aguirre's team had a goal disallowed at the other end as they saw out a narrow win.

Elsewhere, Son Heung-min scored twice as South Korea thrashed Trinidad and Tobago 5-0, with Cho Gue-sung and Hwang Hee-chan also on target.

Ecuador, meanwhile, beat Saudi Arabia 2-1, even though star players Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie, who was in action in the Champions League with Arsenal, did not feature.

Data Debrief: Vega stands out

Vasquez may have got the goal, but Vega was the most impressive player for Mexico, creating a team-leading three chances, one of which supplied the assist for the decisive moment.

Vega also played 13 passes into the final third, a tally matched only by Australia's Connor Metcalfe (13), while he also had two shots, with only two of his team-mates having more.

It was a game of few clear-cut chances, as reflected by the final expected goals totals: Mexico rounded out with 0.41 to Australia's 0.48.