Mexico faced Argentina yet again in the World Cup and in the second round to boot. The Aztecs were looking to avenge the loss from Leipzing four years earlier and also reach that ever-elusive fifth match that has been slipping away from them ever since they hosted the World Cup back in 1986. That was not to be as Argentina would come out on top 3-1 in controversial fashion.
Mexico came out of the shoot with some important opportunities on Sergio Romero's goal. Ricardo Osorio shot from about 35 yards out and the ball hits the crossbar. Andrés Guardado would also volley a ball just inches wide of the right goal post. There was some pace by the Mexicans at that stage, but Argentina slowly found their way to their opponents' goal. That would quickly change the match.
Yet Another Ref Gaffe
Argentina would benefit from a huge mistake by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti. The referee failed to call a more than clear offside on Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez. Lionel Messi fed Tevez and the shot was blocked by Oscar Perez. The rebound ended up in front of Messi and he was able to place a weak shot on goal that Tevez deflected onto goal with his head.
The replays showed that Tevez was about offside by about four feet and neither Rosetti or the line judge reversed the call. That was a major blow for Mexico and referees as they stocked yet more arsenal in the case for technology. But for the short term, Mexico were rocked and would barely be able to recover.
Argentina in the meantime would take advantage of yet another mistake when Ricardo Osorio lost possession of the ball and Gonzalo Higuaín took the ball and beat Oscar Pérez to double the Albiceleste lead before halftime. Then Tevez would come back in the 53rd minute and score off a rocket shot that was absolutely unstoppable.
Argentina in the meantime would take advantage of yet another mistake when Ricardo Osorio lost possession of the ball and Gonzalo Higuaín took the ball and beat Oscar Pérez to double the Albiceleste lead before halftime. Then Tevez would come back in the 53rd minute and score off a rocket shot that was absolutely unstoppable.
From that time, the Argentines stepped backwards and allowed Mexico to control the ball for the final half hour. El Tri were unable to do much with the ball with the exception of some opportunities that went awry. Two of them could have changed the match but Gabriel Heinze cleared the ball at the line. Mexico's best opportunity came at the feet of Manchester United man Javier Hernandez. He beat Martín DeMichelis and was able to turn and beat Sergio Romero at the near post. Other than that, there was little that Mexico did to bug the Argentine goal.
Overall, Argentina was not as sharp as their first three matches and will have to do lots of work in order to neutralize Germany in the quarters next weekend. Ángel Di María was not able to show his complete potential in this World Cup and really played his worst match of the tournament to this point. He was not able to maintain possession as well as create on his end of the pitch. He was also part of the reason that Argentina lacked depth in their attack and allowed Mexico to pinch in and crowd the middle of the pitch for Lio Messi.
Messi was also unable to show his magic on a consistent basis. The first "goal" was a result of his disruptive capabilities. He also did have the chance to score a brilliant goal but Oscar Pérez rejected him yet once again.
The big question mark was undoubtedly the form of Bayern Munich man Martín De Michelis. Once again another Argentina conceded goal came off a play that the former River Plate man was defending. Walter Samuel, despite being injured will be a player that will most likely be considered alongside Nicolás Burdisso in the middle of the spongy Albiceleste back.
Ratings
Romero 5.5
Otamendi 5.5
Burdissso 6.5
De Michelis 4
Heinze 4
M. Rodriguez 5.5
Mascherano 5
Di María 3.5
Messi 5.5
Higuaín 6
Tevez 7.5
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Verón 4.5
Gutiérrez 4
Pastore inc.
Mexico
Pérez 5
Osorio 4.5
Márquez 5
Salcido 5
Rodríguez 4.5
Juárez4.5
Guardado 4
Torrado 4
Dos Santos 4
Bautista 4
Hernández 6.5
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Barrera 5
Franco inc.
Newsodrome
El Octagono
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