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Argentina dumps Mexico, reaches WCup quarterfinals

28 June 2010 09:45 (UTC +04:00)

Tevez was offside when he headed in a pass from Lionel Messi in the 26th minute. Referee Roberto Rosetti of Italy awarded the goal after consulting with his linesman, the pair surrounded by angrily gesturing Mexican and Argentine players.

The call in Sunday night’s game came just hours after the referee at Germany’s 4-1 win over England failed to recognize that a shot by England’s Frank Lampard, which would have tied the score at 2-2 late in the first half, clearly made it across the goal line after striking the crossbar.

Argentina now plays Germany in the final eight, a repeat of the 2006 quarterfinals, which the Germans won. The Germans also beat Argentina in the 1990 World Cup final.

In the 33rd minute, Higuain rounded the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 after Mexico’s Ricardo Osorio, under no pressure, played the ball straight into his path. In the 52nd, Tevez rifled in an unstoppable shot from 25 yards.

"Two mistakes ... drastically changed the course of the game," Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. "There was a before and after."

Mexico’s Javier Hernandez scored in the 71st.

Tevez proved difficult for Mexico’s defenders to handle, and Higuain -- the leading scorer at the World Cup with four goals -- should have added another but headed a cross wide from close range just before halftime.

Messi, one of the best playmakers in the tournament, again failed to score and struggled in midfield for much of the game. Still he came close: His shot in the 91st minute was tipped over the bar.

The Mexicans enjoyed the better chances as the game started, with Carlos Salcido’s fierce shot shaking the crossbar in the eighth minute.

After Tevez’s opening goal, though, the Argentines slowly began to control the game.