Mexico had to work hard to beat Panama on Tuesday but did so through Carlos Vela in first-half stoppage time.
An experimental Mexico side was forced to work hard for a 1-0 victory against a defensively organized Panama in Toluca.
Mexico entered the game on the back of a 3-2 extra-time victory over the United States in a 2017 Confederations Cup playoff, while its opponent arrived winless in normal time in its previous 12 fixtures.
Real Sociedad attacker Carlos Vela's goal in first-half stoppage time was the difference in the international friendly Tuesday, with neither side capable of creating obvious openings.