World Cup 2010 - Argentina beat Mexico
Argentina set up a World Cup quarter-final with Germany after a 3-1 win over Mexico in an entertaining second-round clash at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg.
Carlos Tevez scored twice - one clearly offside and one a wonder-goal - while Gonzalo Higuain capitalised on a defensive error to move to the top of the tournament goal-scoring charts with four in four matches.
New Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez pulled one back with a superb strike of his own as Mexico pushed admirably to find a way back into the game, but Argentina closed the game out to maintain their 100 per cent record at the finals in South Africa.
Diego Maradona’s in-form side face Germany in their last-eight clash on Saturday afternoon.
Mexico took the game to Argentina, as left-back Carlos Salcido whacked an outrageous long-range effort against the bar, winger Andres Guardado pinged a drive inches wide and Hernandez drilled a low shot just wide.
But Argentina went ahead on 26 minutes and it was another officiating error to pour scorn on FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s claims that video technology has no place in football.
Earlier in the day England were denied an equaliser while trailing Germany 2-1 when a clear goal by Frank Lampard was missed by both referee and assistant with the ball yards over the line.
This time Tevez - clearly offside - headed Lionel Messi’s chip into an empty net after keeper Oscar Perez spilled the latter’s through ball.
The big screen in the stadium showed the error but the decision had already been made and the law prevented the referee from chalking off the goal.
Seven minutes later it was 2-0.
With no real danger, defender Ricardo Osorio inexplicably passed straight to Higuain, who rounded Perez to score.
Javier Aguirre’s side rallied, with Salcido forcing a diving stop from Sergio Romero while Hernandez was inches from converting Salcido’s cross.
Argentina were dangerous on the break, though, as Perez saved well from Angel Di Maria while Gonzalo Higuain nodded a Tevez cross wide from six yards out.
There was a half-time scuffle between players and staff from both sides as an aggrieved Mexico went in with a mountain to climb.
Aguirre made a change at the break, bringing winger Pablo Barrera on for the ineffectual Adolfo Bautista.
But they were delivered another hammer blow when, on 53 minutes, Tevez arguably scored the goal of the tournament so far.
The Manchester City striker benefited from a ricochet on the edge of the D and, with options limited, he responded to the challenge by smashing an unstoppable shot into the top right.
Mexico continued to press as Barrera skinned two defenders before firing into the side netting, while Hernandez headed over and was denied by Gabriel Heinze on the line.
Hernandez, who joins United after the World Cup after hitting 21 goals for Chivas Guadalajara last season, pulled one back in style.
Gerardo Torrado slid the ball to the 22-year-old who, with his back to goal, spun off Martin Demichelis with his first touch, pulled wide of Nicolas Otamendi with his second, and rasped a vicious finish into the roof of the net with his third.
It gave Mexico hope but Argentina shut up shop with their only serious danger a far-post cross from Barrera that Heinze nicked away from Marquez.
In the closing stages Messi - quiet for most of he game - almost drove home a fourth after a trademark dribble inside from the right but he was denied by Perez as Argentina qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the sixth time.
Match stats:
Argentina v Mexico
Goals 3-1
1st Half Goals 2-0
Shots on Target 6-5
Shots off Target 3-10
Blocked Shots 3-2
Corners 2-5
Fouls 11-26
Offsides 1-2
Yellow Cards 0-1
Red Cards 0-0
Passing Success 79%-81.8%
Tackles 24-36
Tackles Success 79.2%-77.8%
Possession 49.7%-50.3%
Territorial Advantage 41.2%-58.8%
Comment 58 - 77 of 77
1966 it was a big big robbed,and also remember Mexico you cant say nothing remember Los Cachirules!
Ola...Andres,lets get it straight....
WC,Germany 2006.....
Argentina loss to Germany on Penalties in QF.....Ian Lehmann ex-Arsenal keeper is their hero.
Italy is the one who's kick Germany out in they own house 2006!! in Semi Finals,NOT ARGENTINA.........
Argentina Double beat Mexico and Double beat Germany.
Don't forgot who kick Germany out in they own house 2006!!
ENGLAND MUST GET A NEW TEAM ...............PLAYERS WITH TRUE PASSION AND DETERMINATION
I DO SO WANT TO PUT A CREAM PIE IN DIEGOS SUG FACE ....
can Messi be any more selfish? he tries to dribble past 5 players every time he gets the ball
think Maradonna one of the best managers there is for his country,s side .Bringing a freshness as he knows his players and how to control them ,not the other way round.Just to see his handling of the match was wonderful.They knew exactly what he wanted from them and got it.Love for the man and respect for the country,ps! dont hold grudges,eg handball ,that is history .
Come on Germany win the world cup, and then rub it in the faces of the snobby english
GO GERMANY LOVE YOU.
At last, a football match that kept me in front of the tv for the whole 90+ minutes. Looking forward to the next
Argentina game, even if it's to watch Maradona's antics. Good to see a manager greet his players with a hug
when they come off to be substituted or at the end of a game. Well done Diego.
Dislike Comments ... nonsense, germany and argentina next match ... im an all time England fan mates but what was that defence meant to be yesterday !! the tactics where totally not organised ... Argentina with or without that offside they play properly (Mexico better than Argentina .... come on u guys)
Its good to see Maradona back I feared with his drug addiction he would die, instead he has cleaned up and leads the team with passion for football.
I think the Germany Argentina game should be good but expect a very tight game, two good sides closely matched
Should be a great game with Germany. In spite of the moronic comments from English cuerdos Maradona is one the best coaches in the world and coaches one of the best teams. Endland are out because they weren't good enough so like many of you said after the France-Ireland qualifier-Get over it!-and stop crying like little babies. Viva Maradona. Viva Chavez!
Bring on video replay so the game can be fair, as an English man we got stuffed and the better team won, the dis allowed goal must of been demotivating but up to the Germany goal we were still @#$%, if England lost 2-1 then moan but we didnt we lost
4-1, stop moan and put some hart in the game, over payed fat mug rooney, never liked him, and the rest need a kick up the arse to, how about making a rule tha your teams manager should be from the country he manages and a max of two foreigns players per team, no wonder we are @#$% our young players cant get a game. no nasty replys please,
gilbert, your an idiot.
The leading mafia in the world is that of Joseph Sepp Blatter and associates in the top ranking level of the FIFA.
The referees are under the influence of a trickle down corruption scheme. The world should indict these guys for match fixing and corruption charges. There is a group of ''connaissance'' referees whose consciences have been bought over in exchange for spots in world cup officiating assignments and possible tips if match fixing results are obtained.
Will the world sit and watch a world governing organization be transformed into personal for-profit scheme? This same mafia has assured the continual governance of the FIFA through fraudulent elections and behind-the-door decisions. ENOUGH is ENOUGH.
U just looked at ur new world champs there...germany match will probably be the match of the tournament without going to penalties like 4 years ago...4
4 years ago argentina should have won had that blimey old fool not taken off crespo and riquelme..his 2 best players...maradona is clever ...he wont take off his best players wen his teams got advantage coz hez wary of german backlash...
I love germany..and i see them winning the EURO 2012 With ease and then 2014 world cup ..maybe beating brazil in brazil..like uruguay did...
good luck to holland ...they should make the final if they get past brazil in quarters
FIFA is more concerned with the review of fouls on the pitch...incessant review and stoppages would be abhored by players and fans alike, so if video review were introduced it should only be used to determine goals and possesion on disputed line calls.
so far so good Argentina.....better teams keep winning
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