JOHANNESBURG: Argentina will meet Germany in the World Cup’s quarter-finals after striker Carlos Tevez struck twice – once controversially – to seal a 3-1 win over Mexico in Sunday’s round of 16 match.
Goals by Manchester City’s Tevez and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain, his fourth here to become the tournament’s top-scorer, means Diego Maradona’s Argentina will now meet the Germans in Cape Town on Saturday in the last eight.
"It’s important to have reached the quarters. As for my goals? Well, I just want to be effective," said Tevez self-effacingly.
"Now we have to relax a little ahead of going up against the Germans in the quarter-finals, four years after losing to them" also in the last eight, when the Germans won on penalties.
Mexico forward Javier Hernandez gave his side brief hope when he turned his marker in the 71st minute and smashed his shot past Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero, although it was too little, too late.
Argentina were not to be denied, but Tevez’s first-half strike was awarded in controversial circumstances as replays showed he was off-side when world footballer of the year Lionel Messi gave him the final pass.
The Manchester City star’s shot was saved by Mexican goalkeeper Oscar Perez, but Messi followed up and chipped Perez for Tevez to head home.
The Mexican defence complained bitterly that Tevez was offside, but Italian referee Roberto Rosetti allowed the 26th-minute goal to stand despite the furore caused by a replay of the incident on the stadium’s giant TV screens.
Mexico captain Rafael Marquez picked up a yellow card almost from the restart for fouling Messi.
Things went from bad to worse for the Mexicans on 33 minutes when defender Ricardo Osorio’s pass went straight to Higuain, who slotted past Perez to make it 2-0 at the break.
Rosetti had to step in to break up a pitch-side melee between the two sides as they walked off for half-time with tempers boiling over in the wake of the first goal.
Tevez settled the matter with a breath-taking strike on 52 minutes which he rifled into the net’s top right-hand corner from just outside the penalty area, giving Perez no chance.
The Manchester City star came off in the 69th minute to make way for Juan Veron just as Argentina’s Martin Demichelis cleared off the line before Hernandez scored Mexico’s consolation.
This was the fifth straight finals where Mexico have exited the competition at the round of 16 phase and the last time they reached the quarter-finals was when the hosted the event in 1986.
Argentina remain on course for their third World Cup title after 1978 and 1986.
SoccerPunter Analyst Comments:
There was a controversial decision involving the first goal of Argentina. The goal should be disallowed because Carlos Tevez was in an offside position clearly. We do not know what the linesman was doing and he was not brave enough to admit his mistake.
This goal unsettled the Mexcians and they conceded another goal within 10 minutes.
Very often, any poor decisions by the referee can affect the team morale adversely. We have witnessed that in England match earlier on.
The quarter finals between Germany vs Argentina will consist of two attacking sides that have scored many goals in the World Cup campaign. We expect a very even match with the Argentina as slight favouites.
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
betting1x2
posts a In-Play Odd / Even tip on 1º de Agosto vs Onze Bravos 5 minutes ago |
|
123Antony
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Eidsvold vs Sandnes Ulf 11 minutes ago |
|
willpower
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on Raufoss vs Fredrikstad 18 minutes ago |
|
JC44
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on Paris W vs Dijon W 28 minutes ago |
|
draba6260
posts a 1X2 tip on Vojvodina vs Čukarički 44 minutes ago |
|
generallafayette
posts a 1X2 tip on Levadia vs Viimsi 45 minutes ago |
|
generallafayette
posts a 1X2 tip on Levadia vs Viimsi 45 minutes ago |
|
draba6260
posts a 1X2 tip on Polokwane City vs Richards Bay 47 minutes ago |
|
betting1x2
posts a In-Play Odd / Even tip on 1º de Agosto vs Onze Bravos 48 minutes ago |
|
betting1x2
posts a Odd / Even tip on EBK vs PKKU 48 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
SSU Poli Timişoara W vs Banat Girls |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
Chavdar Etropole vs Rilski Sportist |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
CSM Bacău vs Ştiinţa Miroslava |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams that have not won at away matches.
Abia Warriors |
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
I like soccer punter because it's free, enjoyable and no risk taking, you just give out your predictions without any charges,also it gives rewards to its members and upgrade them to platninum levels.
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2024 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: