Second-half goals from Club America's Juan Carlos Silva in the 51st minute and a 61st-minute leveller from Ivan Cordoba sent the game into a shootout as both sides finished the game with 10 players following a red card apiece in the last 10 minutes.

There was confusion at the end of 90 minutes when both sets of players appeared unaware a penalty shootout was required to settle the issue.

Inter head coach Jose Mourinho at least seemed prepared with a list of penalty takers, but the Mexican bench was in disarray and players had to retrieve their shirts having already exchanged them with opponents.

When Vieira's turn came as the fourth Inter penalty taker, he blasted high over Armando Navarette's crossbar.

His goalkeeper, Vid Belec, appeared to get the former Arsenal man out of trouble as he then saved from Daniel Marquez but US referee Baldomero Toledo ordered a retake after judging the keeper had advanced off his line and the Mexican made no mistake second time around, leaving Oscar Rojas to seal victory with the final penalty of the shoot-out.

Mourinho left out transfer targets Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and French midfielder Vieira from a starting line-up featuring just two Italians while the former Chelsea boss handed a debut to new signings Diego Milito, the Argentina forward, and Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta.

The goal action came in the second half though as both Silva and Cordoba headed home corner kicks before an 80th-minute dangerous tackle by Club America's Enrique Escada earned a red card from referee Toledo.

That was almost immediately punished by Inter when quick and crisp build-up play allowed second-half substitute Ibrahimovic to head down to Milito on the six-yard line but the Argentinian's first-time right-foot shot was saved well at the foot of the post by keeper Armando Navarrete.

Inter substitute Joel Obi was the next to depart after catching Oscar Rojas late and earning what looked like a harsh red card in the 87th minute.

Mourinho will next face his former side when Inter take on Chelsea in the early hours of Wednesday morning at Pasadena Rose Bowl, while Club America's World Football Challenge continues later that day in Atlanta when the Mexicans face AC Milan at the Georgia Dome.