 | Team News |  | Player Profiles | | Fixtures | | Betting | | Mobile |  |
Argentina News
Latest News / Squad / Team Profile / Player Profiles / Betting / Results
Argentina 2 Mexico 1 aet
24/06/2006: Maxi Rodriguez hit a stunning left-foot volley in extra time to give Argentina a hard-fought victory over Mexico in Leipzig.
The game got off to a lightning start with Mexico determined to stamp their authority on the match early on. And they did that in the best possible style when they took a shock lead on six minutes. Rafael Marquez was the beneficiary from a Mario Mendez near-post flick-on and the defender escaped his man to slide in and hit the ball into the roof of the net.
The Argentineans responded quickly however and just four minutes later Jared Borgetti was forced to turn an out-swinging Juan Roman Riquelme corner into his own net under immense pressure from Hernan Crespo at the near post.
Borgetti seemed intent on redeeming himself and only good defending by Roberto Ayala and a full-stretch save by Roberto Abbondanzieri prevented him from doing so.
Crespo had a great chance to score midway through the first half, but he uncharacteristically missed the target as he lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.
Argentina were lucky not to be reduced to ten men on the stroke of half time when Gabriel Heinze inexplicably gifted possession to Francisco Fonseca 20 yards out, before upending the Mexican as he ran past him with a clear route to goal. However, the Swiss referee opted for leniency and just a yellow card.
The second period was a much more subdued affair, but Borgetti was almost in but for a great defensive tackle by Juan Pablo Sorin to deny him the shot.
Argentina believed they had the game won in stoppage time when Pablo Aimar squared for Lionel Messi to tap in, but the linesman incorrectly raised his flag to deny the Barcelona starlet the perfect present on his 19th birthday.
So the game headed to extra time which was lit up by Rodriguez's wonder strike. Sorin fired a cross-field ball which found Rodriguez on the right-hand edge of the box, and he controlled superbly with his chest before firing in a left-foot volley which nestled in the top corner.
Argentina now head to Berlin next Friday where they will face host nation Germany in the quarter-finals.
Pre-match report
Hernan Crespo is expected to return to the Argentina frontline for the second round clash, while Jared Borgetti could return for Mexico.
Crespo was rested for the 0-0 draw with Holland but, having already scored two goals in the tournament, the Chelsea striker is set to be reinstated to the starting line-up.
Javier Saviola is set to play just behind Crespo, which means Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez are likely to have to settle for places on the bench despite impressive midweek performances.
Coach Jose Peckerman will be without right-back Nicolas Burdisso because of a knee injury, so Fabricio Coloccini will deputise.
Meanwhile, Mexico's all-time leading scorer Borgetti will have a late fitness test on a thigh injury which has kept the Bolton striker out of his country's last two games.
Brazilian-born midfielder Antonio Naelson "Zinha" is set replace the suspended Luis Perez, who was sent off in the 2-1 defeat to Portugal.
Argentina coach Jose Pekerman has made it clear to his highly-fancied team that they cannot afford to relax at any point.
The South American side have looked impressive in the group stages, not least in their 6-0 demolition of Serbia & Montenegro.
However, despite cruising through to the knockout section of the tournament, Pekerman is not allowing his troops to rest on their laurels.
He said: "I have talked to the squad that we could be on our way home but we only said what is necessary."
Pekerman added that he has told his squad that they cannot allow their play to become sloppy at any moment, adding: "We know any fault could be expensive - you have to respect your opponent."
Argentina
1. Roberto Abbondanzieri
2. Roberto Ayala
6. Gabriel Heinze
13. Lionel Scaloni
3. Juan Pablo Sorin
5. Esteban Cambiasso
10. Juan Riquelme
18. Rodriguez Maxi
8. Javier Mascherano
7. Javier Saviola
9. Hernan Crespo
Mexico
1. Oswaldo Sanchez
3. Carlos Salcido
4. Rafael Marquez
18. Andres Guardado
5. Ricardo Osorio
15. Jose Antonio Castro
16. Mario Mendez
8. Pavel Pardo
9. Jared Borgetti
11. Ramon Morales
17. Francisco Fonseca
World Cup Mobile
 Real Tones | ||
| 1 | Spider Pig Song  |  |
| 2 | Snuggle Bunny Song | |
| 3 | Peter Laughing | |
| Polyphonic | ||
| 4 | The Great Escape | |
| 5 | Mission Impossible | |
| 6 | James Bond | |
| 7 | Exorcist Theme (Tubular Bells) | |
| 8 | Benny Hill | |
| Sound Effects | ||
| 9 | Mosquito | |
| Backgrounds | ||
| 10 | Euro 2008 | |
| Animations | ||
| 11 | Euro 2008 | |
| Games | ||
| 12 | FIFA World Cup(TM) | |
| 13 | Soccer Pinball | |
| 14 | UEFA EURO 2008 | |
Comments on: Argentina 2 Mexico 1 aet
24/06/2006: Messi and Tevez should be starting. They were Argentina's 2 best players against Holland. Pekerman needs to realise that.
24/06/2006: Pekerman will cry today because of his team selection. I think Messi and Tavez are better compared to other players. Please don't select Cambiasso in the first eleven. I don't like his comb over hairstyle.
25/06/2006: I didn't want Cambiasso in the first 11 either, but it's good because they can replace him later with fresh feet like Messi and Tevez when the other side is tired so Messi can run through them. I think Saviola and Crespo won't start next game or perhaps not Saviola. It's going well.
Write your own comment:
Latest Argentina News
Saviola vows to take his chance (10/06/2006)
Kempes fires Riquelme broadside (12/06/2006)
Milito happy to bide time (13/06/2006)
Ayala warns of wounded foes (14/06/2006)
Messi fit despite injury scare (15/06/2006)