WORLD CUP 2010: Argentina 3 Mexico 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxaHJfOkJLUendofvid
[starttext]
By Ian Ladyman in Johannesburg

Double delight: Carlos Tevez celebrates after scoring the goals that sent Argentina through to the quarter-final


There was more World Cup controversy here on Sunday night as another dreadful decision from an assistant referee helped to send Mexico home amid bitterness and rancour.

Just as in Bloemfontein, though, the better team progressed to the last eight.

This continues to be a difficult tournament for the officials. Carlos Tevez's first-half goal was so far offside at Soccer City that the linesman at the other end of the field probably could have spotted it.

For Argentina, however, this World Cup continues to offer opportunity. As expected, they ambled past their Central American opponents and Saturday's match-up with Germany is mouth-watering.

Tevez scored a sensational second goal and Lionel Messi almost bettered it at the death, denied by goalkeeper Oscar Perez's fingertips.

As always with Argentina, there was much to admire. They are playing with joy, enthused by their coach Diego Maradona. 'We were superb,' he said. 'If Mexico are angry, then they know how I feel when they kick Messi around. Every team kicks Messi. It's a scandal.'

Maradona had a point. Messi perhaps needs more protection from referees.


Stunning: Carlos Tevez produces a magnificent strike to make it 3-0 to Argentina


But Tevez's goal in the 26th minute should not have stood. The Manchester City forward, having fallen under the challenge of Perez in the area, was two yards offside as Messi lobbed the ball back for him to head into an empty goal.

That the Italian linesman failed to make the correct call was remarkable. That he then appeared set to reverse it after a replay on the big screen was more remarkable still. Referee Roberto Rosetti intervened to confirm the goal stood - he had no choice.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said: 'The goal cost us, the decision cost us. I can't say much about the referee but I would suggest they use Mexican referees for the big games. They are better.'


Gift: Gonzalo Higuain taps home his team's second goal


Up until the contentious first goal, this had been an even contest. Mexico began brightly, their impressive left back Carlos Salcido striking the bar with a dipping drive from 30 yards. Then Efrain Jaurez slid a low shot across goal and wide.

Those early chances woke up Argentina and, from the moment they went ahead, they were the better side.


What will irk Mexico is that they presented their opponents with a second goal so quickly after the first. This time defender Ricardo Osorio was the culprit as he nudged the ball inexplicably towards Gonzalo Higuain, who rolled it expertly around Perez with the sole of his right foot and slid it into the goal with his left.

Tempers boiled over as the teams left the field at half-time - a melee breaking out - but any fears the second period would turn ugly were allayed when Tevez produced a moment of beauty seven minutes in. The ball broke to him 25 yards out and he spanked it with his right foot into the top corner.

Mexico still created chances and they pulled a goal back through Javier Hernandez. He heads to Manchester United now, while Argentina head to the quarter-finals. Rightly so.


Futile protests: Mexico players confront the referee's assistant after his mistake in failing to spot that Tevez was offside when he scored Argentina's opener




[endtext]