Liveblog: Argentina vs. Mexico

After 120 minutes in Leipzig, Argentia comes away with the win against Mexico. This was the first game to go to extra periods and turned out the be a thriller. You can read the play-by-play below and leave your comments on the match and the teams.

Final: Argentina 2-1 Mexico

Full time Argentina comes away with the win and will next face Germany. Mexico played a solid game and gave Argentina all they could ask for. The goal by Maxi Rodriguez in the extra period will be one of the best of this tournament. A great way to end an entertaining game for all of us. Thank you for joining me. I’ll be back tomorrow for more fun and frivolity.

119:47 Argentina taking their dandy time to take the free kick. They will be more than happy to watch the time go down. Mexico needing a miracle at this point.

118:35 Messi dragged down and Torrado is shown his yellow. I thought that was his second yellow but apparently the beer has me confused. That is my excuse and I am sticking by it.

116:12 Mexico needing to bring more players forward and to take some chances as the clock ticks down. A tough challenge given Argentina’s ability to break free.

114:56 Scaloni limping around but feeling better than the very sad Mexican girls in the stands. Their team played a very good game tonight and still has a chance.

113:57 Osorio creating some for Mexico but the Argentina defense able to recover. It is an uphill battle now for El Tri. Messi with some magic out there and Argentina almost gets through.

112:02 No amount of liveblogging prepares you for extra time. Yellow shown to Sorin for knocking down Osorio. Mexico with a chance from the side of the area. It is cleared away.

110:46 A lot of play in the midfield with Mexico chasing and Argentina happy to play keep away. Messi with some nifty moves and Riquelme looking like a stud. Mexico finally gains control.

108:32 I’m getting tired just looking at these players. They have expended a lot of energy tonight in a well played and even game for the most part. Mexico with a little more than 10 minutes to try to send this to penalties.

107:12 Sinha with a shot for Mexico and it just goes wide. A lot of hearts stopped on that one.

106:47 El Pato taking his time with the ball as Argentina is more than happy to wear down the clock. Both teams looking tired and cramped. I know the feeling.

105:01 The second of two 15-minute period are underway with Argentina up a goal after a stunner from Maxi Rodriguez.

105+ Three minutes of added time before we go to another 15-minute period. Aimar makes it to the box and the whistle blows.

105:00 Pineda showing some nice work on the left side but Mexico not getting too many opportunities. They just keep showing the replay of the goal and it still excites me.

103:14 La Volpe looking menacing on the sideline. He has to wait another 20 minutes for a smoke. His team will need to come up with something soon or they will be going home. What a game!

101:45 Typing 100 in the minutes column has me weary. Maradona is high on life as are the Argentine fans in the stands. They still have 20 minutes to sweat it out.

100:23 Mexico will need to go on the attack to try to get the equalizer. Argentina content to pass it around and keep it in their own end.

99:16 You won’t see a better goal in that situation. Pure class by Rodriguez.

97:45 GOALLLLL!!!!! Maxi Rodriguez with an incredible goal. He takes the pass off his chest and volleys it into the top of the net. Awesome goal.

96:48 They got rid of the Golden Goal in the past few years. It existed back in 2002 but we are back to 2, 15-minute periods to decide the game before penalty shots. I always liked the Golden Goal but I must have been in the minority.

95:02 Tevez attacking but not looking on his game while Messi is bringing some good pace out there. On the other end Marquez takes a crack at one but it is wide. Both coaches looking constipated and ready to pass out. I can relate. This extra time will destroy my fingers.

93:12 Both teams have used all three subs so these are the players who will take us until the end. Fonseca falls down in the box but the ref lets them play on.

91:21 Argentina rolling it around and looking very patient. Both teams will likely play cautious in the next 30 minutes.

90:01 Both teams had a good stretch and a huddle. This type of game makes the World Cup so special. Will we see a hero or will we see the always heart stopping penalty kicks.

End of regulation We’re headed to extra time for the first time this tournament. Two 15-minute periods followed by a penalty shootout if no one scores.

90+ Goal called off as Messi puts it in but he is called offside.

90+ Three minutes of added time. Argentina tying to push it forward with Messi and Tevez. Mexico very well organized in the back tonight.

89:12 Argentina leading possession 54-46% but the game is even where it counts.

87:12 Lots of players pleading with their hands out but the referee only answers them with his own hands out. Mexico with a free kick from long range. Marquez blasts it into the wall/

85:58 Pineda nutmegs his defender and crosses it to Fonseca who heads it wide. Good chance for Mexico.

85:37 What a storybook ending it would be for Messi to get the game winner. A nightmare for Mexico but a thrill for Argentina. This game looking increasingly like it will be headed to extra periods.

83:48 Hard foul from Argentina but the Swiss ref doesn’t punish Scaloni. He is one big guy that Scaloni. Messi set to come on for Saviola. The wunderkind is on the field in a critical spot.

82:13Dead even on corner kicks with each team having 12. Yellow card shown to Torraddo for a silly foul on Sorin. He sure went down easy but the sight of all that hair might have scared him.

80:22 Tevez bursts through and hits it off Sanchez for a corner. It is headed away but Argentina will maintain contol in the offensive end. Will we see a late goal? There have been a fair number in this tournament in the final 10 minutes of games.

78:30 After two goals in the first ten minutes these two teams have played even up in Leipzig. Both coaches have made two substitutions and there has been a welcome absence of yellow cards give or take a few. If it ends tied after 90 we’ll go to golden goal overtime followed by penalty kicks if still tied.

76:02 Aimar also in for Cambiasso as Pekerman uses two of his three subs in the hopes of generating some offense in the next 15 minutes of so.

74:58 Mexico on the move and Borgetti skies for it but his header goes wide. He can really get up in the air. Crespo off for Argentina and Tevez is on.

72:56 Fonseca with a shot that is blocked away by the Argentina defense. Both teams starting to look a little cautious like they don’t want to make a mistake. Pineda in for Morales for Mexico.

72:38 Riqueleme trying to work himself back into the playmaker role. He hasn’t been orchestrating things as much this half and it shows in Argentina’s attack.

70:34 Argentina not playing a poor game but this isn’t quite the masterpieces we saw in the first round. Borgetti upset claiming he was elbowed by Heinze. He might have been right but it didn’t look intentional.

69:49 La Volpe up looking like he wants to play for Mexico. I believe he was a backup keeper for Argentina at one time. Yellow card shown to Marquez for a tackle on Crespo from behind. Looked like the right call from my armchair perspective.

67:47 Pekerman yet to go to the bench for Argentina. Have to think he might bring some fresh legs in soon. Germans going crazy outside my apartment. They are just a little bit pleased to be in the final 8.

65:56 Pineda set to come on for Mexico. He doesn’t look old enough to shave. He will replace Guardado who had an effective game for El Tri.

65:12 Guardado set to come back on. The magic water works again. Argentina denied near the box again. This game remains tied.

63:56 Guardado down looking dead. He is stretchered off but should be fine. The crowd turned around to watch Maradona wave his Argentina scarf.

62:45 Maradona frantically puffing away at a cigar in the stands. Can’t blame him for being nervous tonight. This game could go down to the wire.

61:23 Referee continuing to let the teams play. Argentina moving it nicely from side to side. I read that Brazil led the tournament in passes after the first round but Argentina will give them a run for their money.

59:45 That was an excellent chance for Saviola but Sanchez showed that he is a quality keeper. Still tied as the game is starting to open up again.

58:32 Saviola breaks free and blasts a shot that is saved by the hand of Sanchez.

58:12 Guardado having a very nice game in the Mexico zone. He is challenging the Argentina defenders.

56:16 Riquelme free kick is hit by Rodriguez but it goes into the ground. Sanchez forced the hit it out for a corner.

55:21 Some good combination play out of the Argentina midfield. They can really orchestrate a game well. mexico’s backline standing strong when they get to the edge of the box.

53:58 Mexico stringing together some passes and Borgetti’s shot in the box is saved by El Pato. That was closer than it first looked.

52:27 Whistles coming out with both teams going back and forth on the possession. Will Pekerman make some subs up front in the coming minutes?

50:58 Both teams look like they left their energy in the dressing room at half. Scaloni crosses it into the box but it goes nowhere.

49:36 Argentina rolling it around and Mexico chasing like a cat after a mouse. The final few passes are where it is breaking down for Argentina tonight.

47:34 Riquelme limping and in pain but he appears to want to play through it whatever it is. No changes from either side at the half.

46:23 Sorin takes a little time to tie his shoes. Probably good have done that at halftime. Slow start after a fast halftime.

45:01 We’re back underway from Leipzig with Mexico and Argentina in a dogfight. The winner will go on to face Germany in Berlin. The loser will go home for an early vacation. Thanks for joining me and for your comments. Let’s hope the next 45 minutes are as good as the first half.

Halftime An entertaining and well played first 45 minutes. Mexico drew first blood but Argentina quickly drew even. I’m off to learn how to run backwards. Please join me again at the start of the second half and in the meantime leave your thoughts on the first half.

45+ Miscommunication between El Pato and Heinze and he brings the Mexico player down. Heinze shown a yellow. Might have been a red from some other referees.

44:12 Argentina in for a battle tonight. Will we see the Flea Messi off the bench in the second half? Tevez is also there. Talk about a wealth of talent.

42:02 This referee is excellent. He is letting the teams play and showing restraint on the cards. He’d get my vote for the final. Plus he can really run well backwards. Not an easy thing to do. Give it a try sometime.

41:13 Mexico is a different team with Borgetti in. He is great in the air. This is the best play I’ve seen from Mexico this tournament.

39:32 Pardo getting worked on by the trainers on the bench so that explains the early sub. Argentina attack breaks down again. Fairly even game to this point.

38:12 Torrado coming on for Mexico and Pavel Pardo coming out. That was an early sub but for those who like hair it was a positive one. Torrado has plenty. Nice player too. Keep an eye on him.

37:45 The wave breaks out and there are many flashbacks to 1991.

36:21 Free kick form Argentina and it is not a good one. Riquelme needs to do better than that. There is always room for improvement. Witness this blog.

34:54 Maxi Rodriguez with a dive that gets a low score from the Russian judges.

34:22 Argentina putting on a passing display but they are not doing the job in the final push. Some pretty football being played here tonight. It is nice to see after some of the games I have liveblogged.

32:32 Salcido falls down by runnin by himself. Some magic water cures his ills and he will be back on in a second.

31:34 Mexico clogging the middle whenever Argentina comes forward. Argentina might be well advised to try going wide. Not that they asked me for coaching advice but I know they read the blog after every match.

29:45 Pound for pound these two teams have the most hair in the tournament. Corner kick to Mexico. Borgetti gets his head on it but it goes out.

28:12 A lot of midfield play the past few minutes. Riquelme and Cambiasso working well together for Argentina. Scaloni earning his name of the bull.

26:35 Mexico and Argentina going toe-to-toe. Both teams don’t lack for confidence in the attack. Saviola knocked down and he is going to feel that one tomorrow when he sits down on a hard bench.

24:45 Borgetti with a shot straight on goal and El Pato punches it over the bar.

23:56 The armbands are for the captains of each team. Marquez wearing it tonight for Mexico and Sorin for Argentina.

22:36 Crespo breaks free in the box and jumps over Sanchez but the ball goes wide of an open goal. Should have been number four for Mr. Crespo.

21:47 Pekerman also nervous on the sideline. The Argentine fans on their feet. The game has slowed down a bit after a fast start.

20:00 Twenty minutes and not a single card. This is a new World Cup record. Both teams playing hard and generally not fouling or flopping. La Volpe playing with his mustache.

18:45 Riquelme looks so confident over the ball. It is like it is married to his foot. Really a joy to watch him and Maxi in the midfield.

17:45 La Volpe spotting jeans and a sport coat on the sideline. He looks like he just woke up. Camiasso finds Crespo in the box and Marquez clears it. Corner Argentina is cleared away.

16:25 Marquez taken down by Riquelme and the Swiss ref shows restraint while laughing at both players.

15:12 There should be a rule that a player’s hair shouldn’t be allowed to cover the name on the back of his shirt. Call it the LiveBlogging Hair rule.

13:46 Mexico on the attack again as both sides playing an open style of play. Corner kick is cleared away and we can all catch our breath for a second.

12:56 Still can’t tell if Crespo got that one but he will be credited for his third of the World Cup, putting him on the heels of Klose for the Golden Boot.

11:32 A frantic start to this game with a pair of goals off of dead balls. Argentina looking to slow it down a bit and to get Mexico to chase. We could be in for a treat tonight. Maradona in the stands sure hopes so.

9:56 The goal was given to Crespo but it looked like Borgetti is the one who directed it into the own goal with his leg. In either case, it didn’t take long for Argentina to counter.

9:01 GOALLLLL! Crespo deposits the ball off the corner and we are off to a flying start.

8:43 The thumb sucking celebration is something I used to do when I was 4 and played. I never scored like Marquez though. Free kick to Argentina from outside the area. It is drilled into the wall for a corner.

6:53 Exactly the start that Mexico wanted as Argentina will be forced to play from behind for the first time in the tournament. Defensive breakdown on the goal.

5:02 GOALLLLLLLL!! Marquez on the free kick gets it in the box and punches it in. He sucks his thumb in celebration.

3:45 First look at Argentina in their offensive end. I love the way they move away from the ball. Mexico stands tall but that won’t be the last we see of that. Frenetic pace thus far.

2:34 Worth noting that the Argentina keeper is El Pato – the Duck. They clear the corner but Mexico is back in the attack.

:34 Mexico opens up on the attack. They are happy to have Borgetti back in the lineup but are sitting goal scorer Bravo as Fonseca starts up front. Corner kick.

Kickoff: We’re underway in Leipzig in this knockout stage match between Argentina and Mexico. Thanks for joining me for the game. Your comments are appreciated. Please keep them clean, have fun and love one another. Here’s hoping that we are treated to a memorable World Cup match or at least a pleasant way to spend the next 90 minutes of our lives.

3 minute countdown: Mexico anthem is fast from the start. The players hold their arms across their chests. This is one of the longer anthems in the World Cup. La Volpe in the tunnel still, perhaps getting in one last smoke (speculation).

5 minute countdown: The Argentina anthem is played. It starts slow and pretty and then picks up the pace. The players stand very straight and clap at the end.

6 minute countdown: The teams are out on the field and the atmosphere in the stadium is electric. The first round matches are fun but for me this is when the tournament starts to get really good. Beckenbauer spending his hooneymoon at the game sitting next to his new wife and Sepp Blatter.

8 minute contdown: Both teams are in the tunnel. Mexico wearing their green tops. Argentina in their classic blue and white stripes. I’m always amazed how well the teams get along when they line up next to one another. Little trash talking or fighting. Perhaps having thus escort kids around keeps the players on their best behavior.

10 minute countdown: With the amount of sirens I’m hearing outside I’m starting to think the Germans are burning down Berlin in celebration. Will there be a similiar joy in Buenos Aires tonight or will the revelry be in Mexico City? Somehow I think we’ll learn the answer to that question in the next 90 minutes unless it goes to extra time and penalty kicks, which would be great drama and a first in my long and troubled liveblogging career.

15 minute countdown: A good turnout from both countries’ supporters who have come a long way to take in the World Cup atmosphere. This game features two of my favorite coaches. The disehelved Argentine Ricardo La Volpe chainsmoking on the Mexico bench and the never smiling Jose Pekerman whose name never fails to bring out a smile. Both have done a fine job with their respective teams to this point.

20 minute countdown: I ran into some cats from Mexico this afternoon. They thought I was from Portugal because I was wearing a C. Ronaldo kit (I need to do laundry). They didn’t seem especially confident about their chances tonight. Argentina and Mexico have played each other 14 times with Argentina winning 5 times, losing 2 times and drawing 7 times.

25 minute countdown: It is a nice night in Leipzig. Temperature is 25C/77F. The referee is from Switzerland. It doesn’t get much more neutral than that. The German commentators are trying very hard to find weaknesses on Argentina’s team. It looks like they think Argentina will win and play Germany next. That would be a thrilling quarterfinal match right here in Berlin. Anyone care to give me a ticket? I’ll let you liveblog that game in return.

30 minute countdown: Here are the starting lineups:

Argentina
1. Roberto Carlos Abbondanzieri, 2. Roberto Ayala, 3. Juan Pablo Sorín, 5. Esteban Cambiasso, 6. Gabriel Heinze, 7. Javier Pedro Saviola, 8. Javier Mascherano, 9. Hernán Crespo, 10. Juan Román Riquelme, 13. Lionel Scaloni, 18. Maxi Rodriguez

Mexico
1. Oswaldo Sánchez, 3. Carlos Salcido, 4. Rafael Márquez, 5. Ricardo Osorio, 8. Pavel Pardo, 9. Jared Borgetti, 11. Ramón Morales, 15. José Antonio Castro, 16. Mario Méndez, 17. Francisco Fonseca, 18. Andrés Guardado

40 minute countdown: Argentina was very impressive during the first round, while Mexico struggled a bit. Mexico will have forward Jared Borgetti back after he sat out the past two games with an injury. For those scoring at home this is game 50 of the 2006 World Cup and something like the 20th games I have liveblogged. Figure 2-3 beers per games and well that explains the Ronaldo belly that is developing. My brain is numb and my fingers are blistered, but a game like this is too good to pass up so I am ready to go. Starting lineups coming up next.

50 minute countdown: I’m here in Berlin and the city is still buzzing after Germany punched its ticket to the quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over Sweden. I was out to get a bite to eat and the German fans were on the streets honking their car horns and singing in praise of their team. Some were also singing a tune that essentially says “Argentina, you’re next.” Indeed, Argentina will play Germany next if they are able to get past Mexico today. I’ll punch in the starting lineups and some other tasty treats in a few minutes as we inch closer to what should be a very entertaining match in Leipzig.

Pregame: A great game ahead. Who do you think will win?

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