Argentina have brushed past Mexico in the World Cup Round of 16, winning 3-1 in Johannesburg.
Round of 16Argentina: 3 (Carlos Tevez 26', 52' Gonzalo Higuain 33') Mexico: 1 (Javier Hernandez 71')
Venue: Soccer City Stadium - Johannesburg Crowd: 60,000 Referee: Roberto Rosetti (ITA) Yellow cards:ARG - nil MEX - Rafael Marquez 28'
Argentina found themselves in the perfect position after just 26 minutes when Carlos Tevez made a positive run at Mexico keeper Oscar Perez who managed to make a sliding save but the ball deflected back to Lionel Messi at the top of the area. The Barcelona star used some nous to play a deft chip back to Tevez who was able to flick it into the back of the net with a close range header despite calls for off-side.
And it only got better seven minutes later when Gonzalo Higuain netted his fourth goal of the tournament. Ricardo Osorio made an error in the Mexican defence which the Real Madrid striker pounced on before holding off his marker and playing the ball into an empty net.
Argentina made it 3-0 seven minutes after the break thanks to a piece of magic by Tevez who made something out of nothing with a 25-yard drive which gave Perez no chance and essentially put Diego Maradona's men into the quarter-finals.
Mexico were playing well despite the scoreline and went about getting themselves back into the contest and for a small amount of time they had some hope when Javier Hernandez produced some individual brilliance by turning outside the area before rocketing a left-footed shot past Sergio Romero to make it 3-1 in the 71st minute.
But for all their attack, Mexico could not break down the Argentine defence for a second time and the Albiceleste held on to book a final eight date with Germany who had earlier disposed of England 4-1.
Starting Line-Ups
ARG Sergio Romero (gk), Martin Demichelis, Nicolas Burdisso, Gabriel Heinze, Angel Di Maria (Gutierrez 79'), Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez (Veron 69'), Javier Mascherano, Nicolas Otamendi, Maxi Rodriguez (Pastore 87')
Subs - Juan Sebastian Veron (69'), Jonas Gutierrez (79'), Javier Pastore (87')
MEX Oscar Perez (gk), Franscisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido, Rafael Marquez, Ricardo Osorio, Gerardo Torrado, Javier Hernandez, Efrain Juarez, Giovani dos Santos, Andres Guardado (Franco 61'), Adolfo Bautista (Barrera 46')
Subs - Pablo Barrera (46'), Guillermo Franco (61')
