Argentina Dominating
To no one's surprise Argentina has made it to the round of 8, but its how they got there that has people talking.
Argentina will play Germany after knocking out Mexico in a 3-1 defeat Sunday afternoon. Like the Germany England game, the match between Argentina and Mexico was not without controversy.
Argentina profited from a bad call in the 26th minute when forward Carlos Tevez, receiving a pass from Lionel Messi, scored a goal from yards offside. Tevez scored twice during the game, and Gonzalo Higuain scored as well to make the final score 3-1. "We're not here on vacation, we came here to leave everything so that the Argentines can be proud of us," said Albiceleste coach Diego Maradona . And despite their disputed goal, Argentina’s performance overall was dominating and worthy of a round 8 advancement. The team has real potential to take the cup.
Mexico and England both have much to complain about on their plane rides home. Mexico players surrounded the linesman in the aftermath of the decision, Argentina's players jumped in leading to a melee between players. The referee, Italian Roberto Rosetti tried to leave the field during the enforced break in play.
At the 33rd minute, Higuain scored a goal that was assisted by Mexico’s Osorio, who played the ball directly into Higuain’s path allowing the striker to slot the ball into the net. This was the fourth goal Higuain has scored during this competition. Argentina's victory is also the nations fourth straight win in the tournament. El Tri were hoping to exact their revenge on Germany, who knocked them out of the 2006 World Cup in the quarter-final stage, but couldn't tie up the score making this year their fifth in arow to be eliminated in the knock out stage.
Javier Hernandez scored Mexico's one and only goal late in the second half in the 71st minute. Mexico made good use of the chances they got in front of Argentina's blackline, suggesting that Argentina's defence is their one weakness on an otherwise impeccable team. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre defined the game by "Two mistakes", one their own and one a result of poor officiating.
Tevez's controversial opening goal was the fruit of his second attempt to score, his first effort was stopped by Oscar Perez. Mexico played as best as they could but the first goal rattled their confidence and concentration, and can only blame themselves for Argentina's goal from Higuain, his sixth goal in eight appearances with Germany.
Tevez even admitted Mexico layed on the heat in the game, and had the Argentina's working hard. "We had trouble getting into the game in the first few minutes. . . We knew Mexico was going to press from the onset, try to take the ball away from us in the first minutes and try to hurt us."
The frustration at the first goal brought out the worst of both teams, with Mexico storming the referee and linesman and surrounding him in an angry protest with Argentina not far behind. The whole incident was broadcast moments after on the big screen for fans and players to relive.
The most disappointing element of Argentina's play has been Messi's goal scoring drought. One of the best playmakers in the tournament (and some say the best Argentina has ever had), Messi has made 27 fruitless attempts to score. He came close in the 92st minute, his shot missed the net and tipped over the bar, but he is struggling in midfield as well, and no doubt the pressure to score for Argentina is increasing with every advancement the team makes.
This will be the third time out of the past four World Cup's that Argentina advances to the quarterfinals.Their match against Germany is also a rematch, as the two teams played each other in the 2006 World Cup. Germany was victorious.
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