Uruguay suffered a blow to their morale in their preparations for next month's World Cup play-off against Australia after they slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Mexico in an international friendly.

Uruguay meet the Australians in the first of two legs in Montevideo on November 12 before travelling to Sydney for the return match four days later when it will be decided which team plays in the World Cup finals.

The South Americans will go into that match on the back of a defeat, though, after coming unstuck against Mexico in Guadalajara.

Carlos Salcido opened the scoring for Mexico after 17 minutes with a shot from outside the box but Uruguay were back on level terms a minute later when Sebastian Abreu scored following a one-on-one.

Mexico restored their lead in the 46th minute when Diego Martinez netted from the penalty spot and six minutes later it was 3-1 after Luis Perez tucked home Juan Rodriguez's penalty.

Meanwhile Mexico's friendly with Chile scheduled for November 12 has been cancelled - only one day after being announced by the Chilean National Association for Professional Players (ANFP).

ANFP president Reinaldo Sanchez informed the Chile Football Association that the Mexican Football Federation (Femexfut) had contacted him and are using all their resources at the moment to help victims of Hurricane Wilma.

Chile boss Nelson Acosta is now hoping another fixture can be arranged as soon as possible.

And Sanchez added: "The friendly was postponed only. We can face them in another date."

But, while their game against Chile was cancelled, the Mexicans will go ahead with a friendly against Bulgaria only four days later.

Chile, meanwhile, have arranged a friendly against Austria on November 15.