Magic Maxi stuns valiant Mexico

Argentina will play Germany in the World Cup quarter finals after beating Mexico 2-1.

Argentina will play Germany in the World Cup quarter finals after an exhilarating game in Leipzig saw them edge past Mexico 2-1 courtesy of what could prove to be the goal of the tournament from Maxi Rodriguez.

Mexico may feel aggrieved after more than playing their part in a fine game that saw them take an early lead through Rafael Marquez that was cancelled out before ten minutes were up after Jared Borgetti put through his own goal.

A pulsating 90 minutes could not separate the two sides but in the first period of extra-time Rodriguez provided what will be one of the abiding memories of the World Cup.

Juan Pablo Sorin drilled a crossfield ball from left to right that found Rodriguez's chest on the left edge of Mexico's box and controlling instantly, he swiveled and volleyed a wondrous effort that simply flew past Mexico's crestfallen goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.

As the two sides came out to a cacophony of noise and a kaleidoscope of colour there was a real sense of the occasion and both sides delivered from the off.

If Argentina were billed as the strong favourites then Mexico cared little for the bookies' predictions as they tore into those in blue and white with venom, whilst in attack there was purpose and quality in spades.

As the spearhead of Mexico's play on his return from injury, Borgetti was a menace in the air, causing consternation for both Roberto Ayala and Gabriel Heinze and it was from his header that Lionel Scaloni needed to block for a corner.

A dynamic start for the Mexicans saw the strong running Jose Francisco Fonseca denied by another important block, but Argentina failed to heed the warning of those in green.

On five minutes a set-piece from right to left was flicked on by Mario Mendez and arriving late at the back post, unattended, was the excellent Marquez, who in full stride was composed in ramming his finish from five yards past an exposed Roberto Abbondanzieri.

Mexico's lead would, though, prove short-lived as for within four minutes Argentina were level. Juan Roman Riquelme's exquisite left foot drove in a corner from the right; Borgetti stooped to deny Hernan Crespo at the near post but in the process only succeeded in inadvertently directing the ball past his own goalkeeper.

The pace of the first ten minutes clearly suited the Mexicans but if Argentina desired to slow the tempo then their efforts fell on deaf ears, as the game ebbed with an intriguing symmetry as first Ayala needed a fine block to deny Borgetti and then, at the other end, Crespo was thwarted by Marquez's lunge.

Crespo was left incredulous when he clipped the ball over Sanchez but wide of the far post, while the menacing Borgetti, a different player from that which resides in Bolton, forced Abbondanzieri to palm over with a stinging drive from the edge of the area.

It was the Mexicans that finished the half stronger as Borgetti miscontrolled when well placed and then Heinze was perhaps fortunate to stay on the field when he allowed the ball to escape from his grasp on the edge of the area and as Fonseca threatened to capitalise, the Manchester United man took him out with a desperation that escaped with a mere caution.

While the first half was an exhibition of unbridled attacking play then perhaps, understandably, the second 45 minutes were more a model of nervous apprehension of what could be won - and lost.

Again it was Borgetti that was involved in the first real incident of note as he pulled off the back of Sorin but as he pulled the trigger, Argentina's captain was able to get in a vital touch and the chance was lost.

Riquelme's promptings were at times peripheral but when he picks a pass a chance is inevitably forthcoming and from one such nonchalant flick, Javier Saviola was through on goal but a thrashed effort was repelled by Sanchez.

In a bid to decide matters without the added exertions of extra-time, Argentina summoned diminutive trio Pablo Aimar, Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez and it was the latter that should have done as coach Jose Pekerman would have instructed, but when through on goal he dithered and Mexico were allowed to clear.

Mexico were not without chances of their own as their own exciting substitute Zinha slung in a cross from the left but Fonseca's towering header was a yard wide.

Like all that had preceded it, extra-time was an intense but open affair as tired limbs left open spaces but it was Rodriguez that wrote himself into Argentine folklore with a goal he will never better.

It arrived in the 98th minute and, while Mexico had the odd forward foray, it was the genius of Messi that looked the likeliest to add to the score-sheet.

Argentina held on to progress and book a date with Germany but they will face few sterner tests in their bid for World Cup glory.

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Argentina	Team Statistics	Mexico
2	Goals	1
1	1st Half Goals	1
4	Shots on Target	2
4	Shots off Target	9
4	Blocked Shots	7
6	Corners	5
23	Fouls	29
8	Offsides	2
2	Yellow Cards	4
0	Red Cards	0
80.5	Passing Success	76.6
32	Tackles	33
68.8	Tackles Success	78.8
50	Possession	50
51.1	Territorial Advantage	48.9