The second came, four minutes after the interval, when from an Ovalle corner, right-back Karen Luna fired a shot on the half-volley which took a deflection as it flew into the net.

Paraguay had a chance to get back in the game from the penalty spot but Jessica Martinez’s weak effort was saved by Esthefanny Barreras.

The South Americans then threw themselves forward and reduced the deficit with Camila Barbosa’s header from a corner in the 64th minute.

But just five minutes later, Mexico restored their two goal cushion with Stephany Mayor breaking free before her shot was pushed away by Alicia Bobadilla only for Ovalle to pounce on the loose ball and turn it home from a tight angle.

But Paraguay were in no mood to roll over and struck again when Rebeca Fernandez timed her run behind the defence to perfection and coolly finished to make it 3-2.

Ovalle, searching for her hat-trick, forced a brilliant diving save out of Bobadilla with a curling free-kick from over 25 yards out and the Paraguay keeper was at full stretch again to reach a superb shot from Karla Nieto.