By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports
South Africa, Sunday, June 27, 2010 — It promised to be an intriguing match-up between the South America and Latin America powerhouse, but the fight fizzled out in a seven-minute period for Mexico where they conceded two goals as they were dismissed by their rivals Argentina 3-1.
In the 25th minute, Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez rushed out of goal to close down on Carlos Tevez after an Argentine through ball. The ball fell to Lionel Messi just inside the box who lobbed over Perez, with Tevez the beneficiary as he headed the resulting ball from four yards out from a seemingly offside position.
Despite the strong protests from the Mexican players, the fourth official stood by his decision to award the goal.
Then in the 32nd minute, right back Ricardo Osorio committed a suicidal mistake in defence as he gave the ball straight to Higuain just outside the box. Not a very wise decision given that Higuain was the tournament’s co-top scorer. Higuain took full advantage as he stole in to dribble past Oscar Perez and slot the ball low into the middle of the goal to give the Argentinians a 2-0 lead.
Mexico may have lamented what could have been if they had taken their chances when they dominated.
Left back Carlos Salcido had a superb 40-yard effort that went right off the crossbar on eight minutes while winger Andres Guardado swerved his shot just wide of the left hand post a minute later. New Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez also fired an effort wide before the Argentinians took over.
The final two goals of the match gave fans in Manchester a glimpse of what they have in offer for next season. Tevez, playing from Manchester City, wrapped things up on 52 minutes with a superb 25-yard effort that pinged into the top right corner of the goal.
Then Javier Hernandez showed his new employers what he is capable of on 71 minutes as he produced a superb turn inside the box before firing a left-footed shot inside Sergio Romero’s near post.
It was déjà vu for the Mexicans as they went out at the same stage to the same opponents four years ago. As for the Argentinians, their road to the final seemed eerily similar to 2006 as they will face Germany in the quarter-finals again. Back then, they had to return home after losing to the hosts 2-4 on penalties.
A revenge on the cards for Argentina? It could well happen on July 3rd.
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2010 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Fixtures
| SGP DATE/DAY | SGP TIME | COUNTRY A | COUNTRY B | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, Sat | 10pm | Uruguay  | 2 | South Korea  | 1 |
| Jun 27, Sun | 2.30am | USA  | 1 | Ghana  | 2 |
| Jun 27, Sun | 10pm | Germany  | 4 | England  | 1 |
| Jun 28, Mon | 2.30am | Argentina  | 3 | Mexico  | 1 |
| Jun 28, Mon | 10pm | Holland  | 2 | Slovakia  | 1 |
| Jun 29, Tue | 2.30am | Brazil  | 3 | Chile  | 0 |
| Jun 29, Tue | 10pm | Paraguay  | 0 (5) | Japan  | 0 (3) |
| Jun 30, Wed | 2.30am | Spain  | 1 | Portugal  | 0 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
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