VIVA MEXICO !

Argentina v Mexico: World Cup Second Round:
Leipzig: Saturday 24th June 2006:

In Mexico City the tears fell down green painted faces but they were shed with great pride, for their team had made them immensely proud. On an emotional evening in Leipzig the beautiful game many feared redundant was back in business. The 4-5-1 technical strangulation of modern day football was heart-warmingly conspicuous by its absence.

The exhilarating Mexicans, their football so electric and audacious gave overwhelming World cup favourites Argentina a terrifying, near-elimination experience in a rousing encounter. The much-lauded South Americans' credentials were given a full examination, but not without good reason were Jose Peckerman's team rated so highly.

Argentina's magnificent possession football, thoughtful, always sublime, cajoling and devastating. No more evident than during the 6-0 first-round routing of Serbia and Montenegro where their midfield trio of Riquelme, Cambiasso and Rodrigues combined to perform exquisitely.

A display widely hailed as amongst the best in the tournament's seventy-six year history and illuminating Germany 2006. But they almost met their match in a gallant Mexican team that led by their splendid Captain Rafael Marquez, threw down the gauntlet, and to the sound of invisible trumpets attacked!

Viva Mexico!

Only in extra time did Argentina finally manage to edge a way past. On ninety-eight minutes midfielder Maxi Rodrigues expertly chested down a precise cross-field pass off full-back Juan Pablo Sorin, turned and executed a delightful left-footed volley from twenty-five yards that screamed into the top corner.

Utterly unstoppable and without question a goal suitably fitting to settle this breathtaking contest. The Athletico Madrid player's stunning effort broken Mexican hearts and ignited wild scenes of celebration back in Buenos Aires. For Argentina the drum roll began to deafen as their seemingly inevitable march to the final continued. Only to be then knocked out by Germany on penalties in the next round.

For the green-shirted Mexicans, they went home beaten but unbowed after earning the respect of all. Long after the final whistle they remained in the centre-circle taking the acclaim of not just their own support but every neutral and Argentine also. The sombreros were raised in salute!

It was a night they will never forget in Leipzig.