An absolutely magical goal from Maxi Rodriguez settled a brilliant game between Mexico and Argentina in the second round of the World Cup.
Despite taking the lead Mexico were pegged back before Rodriguez’s bullet during extra time allowing the South American’s to progress to the Quarter Finals for a matchup against hosts Germany.
The game was an epic encounter with end to end action with neither side wanting to lose. Both sides began with the same teams which had begun the majority of their group games. After losing to Portugal, Mexico were looking to bring back the form which had seen them brush past Iran in their first game, but for Argentina it was a bid to continue the excellent performances which had entertained the World in matches against Holland and Serbia.
Despite their underdog tag it was Mexico who struck first through Marquez. The Barcelona defender sneaked in round the back before volleying into the back of the net to give his side a 1-0 lead after just ten minutes of the game. Penetrating the Argentina defense had been a step too far for the first three teams they had encountered but the quick pace which Mexico played with had troubled the Argentines who after finding themselves behind for the first time looked to hit back immediately.
It took them six minutes to create a chance of note and it was all they needed to make the score 1-1 as a combination of Borgetti and Crespo found the back of the Mexico net. The Bolton striker was unlucky enough to be credited with the own goal after his outstretched footed took the ball of the toes of Crespo who was looking to find his side an equalizer. Regardless of the scorer Argentina were delighted to be back on terms after their bad start and it was the goal they needed to wake themselves up.
On 23 minutes Crespo should have found the net once more as he broke through into the Mexico box before chipping the keeper but missing the target by inches. The well played pass from Mascherano gave Crespo plenty of time and space to engineer the finish but this time the Chelsea strikers aim was just off.
Argentina kept pressing however and looked to take a 2-1 lead going into half time. It wasn't to be however and their keeper Abbondanzieri became the busier of the two stoppers being forced into saves from Zinha and Borgetti. The second save was a tough ask for the keeper after a curling shot from the striker needed to be tipped over the bar at full stretch.
The second half began at a slow pace with both sides looking to make a carefully break through but keep possession of the ball to ensure their control on the match. Once more it was Argentina who became the dominant force and Saviola like Crespo in the first half should have scored with just the keeper to beat.
The miniature Barca strikers finish just let him down as Sanchez was able to block his close range shot and palm the ball to safety when it would have been much worse.
Four minutes from the end of the game Mexico were unlucky not to take the lead when excellent work on the left from Zinha let in Torrado, but his header was off target. The tough tackling midfielder was challenged by several players but his close range effort should have really made the keeper work.
Extra time begun with both sides first and foremost not wanting to lose and it was clearly going to take a moment of magic to win the game. That moment arrived in the 98 minute when Sorin played a superb ball across to Maxi who controlled on his chest before unleashing a bullet of a shot into the top left hand corner of the net.
The ball was just too high for Sanchez whose leap was in vain as the ball arrowed past him into the goal.
The goal was a deserving game winner but Mexico were not willing to give up. Almost forcing a penalty shoot out in the dying seconds Pineda curled a shot towards the far post which missed by inches giving Argentina the opportunity to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
With the game over Argentina celebrated a wonderful the glorious victory of an excellent game whilst Mexico’s players trudged off sad and disconsolate after putting in a first class effort.
Despite taking the lead Mexico were pegged back before Rodriguez’s bullet during extra time allowing the South American’s to progress to the Quarter Finals for a matchup against hosts Germany.
The game was an epic encounter with end to end action with neither side wanting to lose. Both sides began with the same teams which had begun the majority of their group games. After losing to Portugal, Mexico were looking to bring back the form which had seen them brush past Iran in their first game, but for Argentina it was a bid to continue the excellent performances which had entertained the World in matches against Holland and Serbia.
Despite their underdog tag it was Mexico who struck first through Marquez. The Barcelona defender sneaked in round the back before volleying into the back of the net to give his side a 1-0 lead after just ten minutes of the game. Penetrating the Argentina defense had been a step too far for the first three teams they had encountered but the quick pace which Mexico played with had troubled the Argentines who after finding themselves behind for the first time looked to hit back immediately.
It took them six minutes to create a chance of note and it was all they needed to make the score 1-1 as a combination of Borgetti and Crespo found the back of the Mexico net. The Bolton striker was unlucky enough to be credited with the own goal after his outstretched footed took the ball of the toes of Crespo who was looking to find his side an equalizer. Regardless of the scorer Argentina were delighted to be back on terms after their bad start and it was the goal they needed to wake themselves up.
On 23 minutes Crespo should have found the net once more as he broke through into the Mexico box before chipping the keeper but missing the target by inches. The well played pass from Mascherano gave Crespo plenty of time and space to engineer the finish but this time the Chelsea strikers aim was just off.
Argentina kept pressing however and looked to take a 2-1 lead going into half time. It wasn't to be however and their keeper Abbondanzieri became the busier of the two stoppers being forced into saves from Zinha and Borgetti. The second save was a tough ask for the keeper after a curling shot from the striker needed to be tipped over the bar at full stretch.
The second half began at a slow pace with both sides looking to make a carefully break through but keep possession of the ball to ensure their control on the match. Once more it was Argentina who became the dominant force and Saviola like Crespo in the first half should have scored with just the keeper to beat.
The miniature Barca strikers finish just let him down as Sanchez was able to block his close range shot and palm the ball to safety when it would have been much worse.
Four minutes from the end of the game Mexico were unlucky not to take the lead when excellent work on the left from Zinha let in Torrado, but his header was off target. The tough tackling midfielder was challenged by several players but his close range effort should have really made the keeper work.
Extra time begun with both sides first and foremost not wanting to lose and it was clearly going to take a moment of magic to win the game. That moment arrived in the 98 minute when Sorin played a superb ball across to Maxi who controlled on his chest before unleashing a bullet of a shot into the top left hand corner of the net.
The ball was just too high for Sanchez whose leap was in vain as the ball arrowed past him into the goal.
The goal was a deserving game winner but Mexico were not willing to give up. Almost forcing a penalty shoot out in the dying seconds Pineda curled a shot towards the far post which missed by inches giving Argentina the opportunity to breathe a collective sigh of relief.
With the game over Argentina celebrated a wonderful the glorious victory of an excellent game whilst Mexico’s players trudged off sad and disconsolate after putting in a first class effort.