Carlos Vela scores twice in triumphant return to El Tri

Carlos Vela scored twice as Mexico beat the Netherlands 3-2 in a friendly in Amsterdam on Wednesday to hand Guus Hiddink's team their fourth defeat in five matches since he took over.

Vela, playing his first international in more than three years, scored in the eighth and 62nd minutes after Wesley Sneijder had briefly equalised 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.

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.

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 leveled at Robben. Mexico fans at the Amsterdam Arena jeered him almost every time he touched the ball.

Mexico were set on their 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.

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.