A superb strike by Maxi Rodriguez in extra-time led Argentina to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mexico and a place in the World Cup's quarter-finals on Saturday. Jared Borgetti's own goal cancelled out Rafael Marquez's opener in the first 10 minutes of the game before Maxi Rodriguez sealed the win for Argentina in the first half of the extra time. Argentina will next face Germany, who beat Sweden 2-0 earlier on Saturday, in the tournament's quarter-final on Friday. Mexico began with an attacking approach until Barcelona defender Marquez put them ahead after just six minutes. Pavel Pardo sent a free kick from the right flank into the area, Mario Mendez flicked the ball to Marquez, who escaped his marker and right-footed the ball into the back of the net. Argentina leveled the score four minutes later when Mexico striker Borgetti, under pressure from Hernan Crespo, attempted to clear Juan Riquelme's corner kick but his header went into his own net.
After Argentina's equalizer, Mexico tried to apply the offside-trap to deny any opportunities from their opponents but after successive attempts, Crespo succeeded in paving a way for his team through Mexico's defense. The Chelsea striker raced on to Esteban Cambiasso's through pass in the 23rd minute and lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper but his effort went wide. In the 37th minute, Borgetti tried to make up for his own goal when he fired a powerful drive from the edge of the area that was denied by Argentina keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri. In the first half's stoppage time, Gabriel Heinze escaped with just yellow card when he brought down Mexican striker Jose Francisco Fonseca, who was on his way for a one-on-one with the keeper. Javier Saviola almost snatched the lead for Argentina in the 57th minute as he latched on to Riquelme's deft through pass and went face-to-face with Mexico keeper Oswaldo Sanchez, who brilliantly tipped Saviola's shot away. In the 98th minute, Maxi controlled a long ball on his chest on the edge of the area before unleashing a left-footed unstoppable volley past the hapless keeper.
