2010 World Cup: Argentina v Mexico full time report
Argentina 3 Mexico 1
Argentina booked a quarter-final date against Germany after a thoroughly convincing 3-1 victory over Mexico in Johannesburg.
Carlos Tevez opened the scoring in controversial fashion after scoring from an offside position. Higuain then added a second later in the first half, before Tevez made sure of the victory with a breathtaking 25-yard strike. Javier Hernandez grabbed a consolation for Mexico, but it's Diego Maradona's side who advance to the final eight.
It was the Mexicans who came closest to breaking the deadlock on the eighth minute – not once, but twice. A stunning long-range effort from Carlos Salcido very nearly embarrassed Sergio Romero. Fortunately for the Argentinean goalkeeper, the full-back's shot hit the crossbar.
Moments later Andres Guardado then produced a superb shot from the edge of the area, having been teed up nicely by Giovani Dos Santos. Guardado's effort looked goalbound, but the swerve took it just wide of Romero's far post.
The controversial moment of the match occurred on the 25th minute when Tevez clearly flicked Messi's shot into the Mexico net from an offside position.
The Mexicans surrounded the assistant referee, who couldn't have ignored the fact he'd made a huge mistake when replays were accidentally shown on the big screens inside the Soccer City Stadium; but their protests were in vain and the goal was allowed to stand anyway.
Following Frank Lampard's "phantom goal" for England earlier today, this was another example of why FIFA should reassess their decision to scrap plans for the use of technology in football
There was nothing unlucky about Mexico's second conceded goal, though. Just after the half hour mark, Javier Aguirre's side shot themselves in the foot when Ricardo Osorio blindly played the ball to nobody – except Higuain.
The Argentinean forward pounced on the defender's blunder, showed great composure to round Perez and then slotted the ball into the empty net to double Argentina's advantage.
Higuain – currently the tournament's leading goalscorer with four goals to his name – had a superb chance to score another before the break and put the game beyond reach. However, the striker failed to connect properly and the score stayed at 2-0 going into half time.
The Mexicans were still understandably livid over Tevez's opener and surrounded the match officials demanding answers as the sides headed towards the tunnel. Maradona, meanwhile, was busy playing the unfamiliar role of peacekeeper.
Seven minutes after the break, Tevez grabbed his second of the night, and Argentina's third, with arguably the best goal of the tournament so far. The bullish striker picked the ball up from 25 yards and unleashed a thunderous strike which found the top corner of the Mexico net to make it 3-0 on the night.
Mexico were left stunned; while their coach, Aguirre, must have wondered where to begin in an attempt to haul his side back into this last 16 fixture.
Credit must go to his side for the way they refused to bow out of these World Cup finals with a whimper. Manchester United-bound striker, Hernandez, had the match's next big chance; but his free header inside the Argentina penalty area whistled inches over Romero's crossbar.
Up until the 70th minute, Mexico had failed to test the potentially creaky Argentina backline. But finally, with 20 minutes left on the clock, came belated signs of a fight back.
Pablo Barrera had his headed cleared off the line by Gabriel Heinze first of all, before Hernandez netted a quite brilliant individual goal.
The 22-year-old picked up the ball just inside the penalty area, span in an instant and unleashed a rasping left-footed effort into the top corner of the Argentina net which left Romero with no chance.
Hernandez's goal provided a timely glimmer of hope for the Mexicans, who from this point onwards were the dominant side in the closing stages of the match. One positive sign for Argentina ahead of their quarter-final clash against Germany is the fact they didn't concede again – but there were several nervy moments when their defensive frailties came close to being exposed.
Argentina slowed the play down in the final 10 minutes to stifle their opponents. It proved effective. And Messi, who had been tightly marked all night, almost broke his duck with another of those curling efforts from his trusty left-foot. However, Perez was equal to his effort, and kept the scoreline to a respectable 3-1.
Four years ago, Germany beat Argentina on penalties in Berlin. At the end of that match tempers flared and grudges will still be held.
So, hold on to your hats, Saturday's quarter-final between the two giants of international football is poised to be a classic.
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