Rodriguez sends Argentina through

Argentina 2
Mexico 1
(aet; 90 mins: 1-1)

A brilliant goal from Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez gave his country a 2-1 extra-time win over Mexico in the World Cup second round last night.

Rodriguez struck eight minutes into extra time, controlling a cross-field pass with his chest and then hammering a superb, diagonal left-foot volley past Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez from 20 metres.

Argentina will play hosts Germany in the quarter-final in Berlin on Friday.

The Latin American rivals had been level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, following two early goals.

Mexico took the game to Argentina from the kick-off and shocked the favourites by taking the lead with their first chance in the sixth minute.

Pavel Pardo's free-kick was flicked on with his head by Mario Mendez and captain Rafael Marquez came in unmarked on the left behind the defence to shoot into the net.

Argentina were level within four minutes when from a Juan Roman Riquelme corner, Mexico striker Jared Borgetti headed the ball into his own net when trying to clear.

Crespo could have had two goals midway through the first half, both times after being put through by superb passes into space from Esteban Cambiasso.

For the first, Marquez was quick to cut across the back of defence and block Crespo's shot, while the Argentina striker steered the ball wide of the far post on the second.

Mexico had the first chance of the second half too but Abbondanzieri saved one-handed from Borgetti at point-blank range.

At the other end, Sanchez pushed Javier Saviola's shot away for a corner after the striker had been sent through on the left by a superb pass from Riquelme.

Substitute Lionel Messi had the ball in the net just before the end of normal time, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Aftermatch comments

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman said their familiarity with Mexico helped serve up the World Cup second-round classic they won 2-1 in extra time.

"Argentina were valid winners. The two teams know each other very well and that's why they cancel each other out," he said.

Turning to playing Germany for a place in the semi-finals, Pekerman added: "It's a match that is much anticipated because they are two big teams in football history who have been world champions on different occasions."

Argentina: 1-Abbondanzieri; 13-Scaloni, 2-Ayala, 6-Heinze, 3-Sorin; 18-Rodriguez, 8-Mascherano, 5-Cambiasso (16-Aimar 76), 10-Riquelme; 7-Saviola (19-Messi 84), 9-Crespo (11-Tevez 76).

Mexico: 1-Sanchez; 16-Mendez, 15-Castro, 5-Osorio, 3-Salcido; 4-Marquez, 18-Guardado (14-Pineda 67), 8-Pardo (6-Torrado 38); 9-Borgetti, 11-Morales (7-Zinha 74), 17-Fonseca.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Swit-zerland).

Scorers: Marquez 6; Borgetti 10 og; Rodriguez 98.

Half-time: 1-1. Attendance: 43,000.

FIFA man of the match: Rodriguez.