Mexico’s 2-0 win over Brazil at the Copa America could signal the end of the international road for three players who had been regarded as fixtures in the team — defenders Ricardo Osorio and Carlos Salcido and midfielder Pavel Pardo.

The trio, all based with European clubs, pulled out of the Copa America saying they were tired. But without them, Mexico, who had stuttered to a 1-0 win over Guadeloupe and lost to United States in the Gold Cup, suddenly came to life.

Osorio, Pavel and Salcido were untouchables under previous coach Ricardo La Volpe, the gruff former Argentina goalkeeper who shocked stylists with his jacket-and-jeans combination at the last World Cup. So when La Volpe’s nemesis Hugo Sanchez took over at the end of last year, their future was immediately thrown into doubt.

Sanchez promised that there would no recriminations and kept his word by including them in the Gold Cup squad. However, as the tournament wore on, rumours abounded that the camp was split between “Huguistas” and “Lavolpistas”.

Osorio, Salcido and Pardo are all seen as hardline “Lavolpistas” and their absence in Puerto Ordaz on Wednesday seemed to give more harmony to the team. Rafael Marquez was the only survivor from the previous regime to play against Brazil — and he, in any case, is seen as a moderate Lavolpista.

Wednesday’s performance may prompt Sanchez to launch a purge of the Lavolpistas once and for all, especially as newcomers like Juan Carlos Cacho, Jaime Correa, Fausto Pinto, Johnny Magallon and, above all, the hugely gifted striker Nery Castillo all showed that they were more than up to the task. The other side of the coin is that Osorio, Pardo and Salcido all have the invaluable experience of playing in Europe.

“It is up to Hugo,” wrote Hector Huerta, a leading Mexican sports writer, after the game. “Either he submits himself to Lavolpism or he starts to make history with players who want to leave their soul on the pitch for the colours of Mexico.”

Brian Homewood is in Venezuela to cover the Copa America