MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -- Uruguay lost 3-1 to Mexico on Wednesday in a warm-up for next month's World Cup playoffs against Australia.

The Uruguayans, who meet Australia over two legs on Nov. 12 and 16 for a berth at next year's finals in Germany, were without their European-based players and included seven based in Mexico including veteran striker Sebastian "Loco" Abreu.

Abreu, a member of Uruguay's 2002 World Cup squad, equalized in the 18th minute seconds after Carlos Salcido had put the home team ahead and its players were still celebrating, sparking a war of words between rival coaches Ricardo La Volpe, Mexico's Argentine trainer, and Jorge Fossati.

Two second-half goals in four minutes from Diego Martinez, a 47th-minute penalty, and Luisito Perez with a free kick, settled the match in favor of Mexico, which secured its World Cup berth from the CONCACAF zone in September.

Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.