2010 World Cup: Argentina v Mexico half time report
Argentina 2 Mexico 0
A controversial goal from Carlos Tevez and another from Gonzalo Higuain have given Argentina a crucial 2-0 lead in their last 16 match against Mexico.
Tevez scored the first midway through the first half in Johannesburg, before Higuain was gifted a second seven minutes later.
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 the bright Giovani Dos Santos. Guardado's effort looked goalbound, but the swerve took it just wide of Romero's far post.
Argentina were continually looking towards Lionel Messi for inspiration, and the world's best player very nearly provided it with a mazy run and a chip which threatened to catch out Oscar Perez. The Mexico number one was equal to the shot on this occasion, though.
The first half's controversial moment 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 the replays were shown on the big screens inside the Soccer City Stadium, but their protests were in vain and the goal was allowed to stand.
Following Frank Lampard's "phantom goal" for England earlier today, it was another reason for FIFA to reassess their decision to scrap plans for the use of technology in the sport.
Just after the half hour mark, Javier Aguirre's side then shot themselves in the foot when Ricardo Osorio blindly played the ball to nobody – except Higuain. The Argentinean forward pounced on the defender's mistake, showed great composure to round Perez and then slotted the ball into the empty net.
By this point Mexico's task looked insurmountable. Argentina have played the first half with the freedom and invention of potential champions, but should have had the game sealed minutes before the half-time whistle through Higuain.
The leading scorer at this year's finals – with four goals – was presented with a glorious chance to put the game beyond reach for Diego Maradona's side with a free header. He failed to connect properly, though, and the score stayed at 2-0.
Javier Hernandez had a great chance to pull one back in the final seconds of the half but couldn't get on the end of Salcido's cross. And once the whistle went for the interval, the livid Mexicans surrounded the match officials looking for answers.
Mexico have it all do to, then, going into the second half. Argentina, meanwhile, have one foot in the quarter-finals after another eye-catching performance.
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