Round of 16 - Worthy Extra Time Winner (Argentina 2 - Mexico 1)

Two things happened in this game that I didn't expect in my wildest dreams.

1. Mexico showing the rest of the world how to stop Argentina.
2. Argentina boring the living shit out of me.

The game started with a bang. Mexico shoved the reputation of the Argentines right out of the window when the referee blew for the start of the game. They attacked with purpose and determination and were rewarded when Marquez scored early in the 5th minute giving the Mexicans an surprise lead.

The Argentines then replied 5 minutes later with what looked like an own goal from Borgetti. Replays from every angle showed that he probably touched the ball last before it flew in beyond Sanchez. However, I think Crespo claimed it. Hopefully FIFA will be reviewing the replays tomorrow and decide who to 'award' the goal to.

Regardless of what the press is going to print in the next couple of hours, the game became pretty damn boring after that 10 minutes of flurry. Mexico was disciplined in defence, cutting out the passing lanes fast and springing the offside trap effectively. They showed that the way to counter the Argentine fluid passing was to outpace them and outwork them. However not every team would be able to do that though.

When the Mexicans did counter, they were dangerous in the air with Borgetti, practically giving Heinze fits.

I couldn't understand why Pekerman didn't bring Tevez or Messi on earlier in the second half, leaving it till late to bring them on. With the way Mexico was defending, it would make sense to bring on dribblers to run at their defenders since, neither the long ball nor passing was going to break it down. Their eventual substitutions did open up the Mexican defence. At the end of normal time, smart passing allowed Messi to put the ball in the net, but was disallowed by the referee for offside. The replays showed otherwise.

Anyway the score was 1-1 at full time and it became the first game to go into extra time. I was expecting more of the same rubbish until Maxi Rodriguez stepped up to the plate to score a goal worthy to win any game. Words will not do justice to the goal he scored. It was a goal of the highest quality and it took a bloody 88 minutes to happen, since the last goal scored.

Argentina eventually won the game 2-1. I'm personally hoping for the sake of my wallet (placed a huge bet on them to win the tournament), they perform up to their usual standards against the much improved Germans. I'm also feeling apprehensive that the Argentines could have peaked abit too soon. Or even worse, today's game would be mimicked by every team who plays them from now on.