By Stephen Wade
The Associated Press
LEIPZIG, Germany —; A blast of brilliance by Maxi Rodriguez separated Argentina from Mexico in a World Cup classic Saturday.
Argentina moved into the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory on Rodriguez’s goal in the 98th minute of the first extra-time game in the tournament. Rodriguez chested a long, arcing pass from captain Juan Sorin at the right corner of the penalty area and, in almost the same motion, wheeled and volleyed a soaring left-footed shot to the far portion of the net over flailing goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.
“I had not decided to shoot it, but the ball fell right in front of me,” Rodriguez said. “It’s one of those shots that can go into the stands or in the goal.”
The Argentines weren’t too exhausted to celebrate, mobbing Rodriguez after his third goal of the tournament —; and biggest of his life. Still, Argentina had to stave off Mexico for another 22 minutes —; there is no sudden death in this World Cup.
At the end, several Mexican players were crying. Mario Mendez kicked the turf at the center of the field, walking glumly for the sideline. Teammate Francisco Fonseca sat nearby, staring up into the stands.
Behind him in the far corner, bare-chested Argentina players twirled their shirts in the air, some dropping to their knees to salute their fans —; and each other.
Two-time champion Argentina lost in the 1998 quarterfinals and was knocked out in the first round four years ago. This time, Argentina topped its group before barely getting past a Mexican team that struggled to finish second in its opening-round group.
Until Rodriguez’s stunning shot, it was an almost dead-even game of attrition. Both teams scored early, with Rafael Marquez putting Mexico ahead in the sixth minute and Hernan Crespo equalizing in the 10th. Then they nearly wore each other out.
Mexico made the second round for the fourth straight time, but has lost each time.
“The winner is the one who scores the goal,” Marquez said, blaming Swiss referee Massimo Busacca for some of his team’s problems. “Mexico was pushing for a goal, but that great shot eliminated us.
“There is nothing to feel bad about. Things are as they are, but I’m sad we are out.”
The game was only the second matchup in the World Cup for the two Latin American powers, and much closer than Argentina’s 6-3 win when they last met in the inaugural tournament 76 years ago.
Marquez’s goal put Argentina behind for the first time in the tournament. Pavel Pardo sent in a free kick from the right side, which Mario Mendez headed across the goalmouth to a sliding Marquez. He knocked the ball over diving keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.
Argentina tied it four minutes later. Juan Roman Riquelme curled in a corner from the right side, which Jared Borgetti appeared to head into his own goal as he lunged to beat Crespo to the ball. However, the goal was awarded to Crespo.
* Germany 2, Sweden 0
MUNICH, Germany —; Lukas Podolski scored two early goals to lead Germany into the World Cup quarterfinals.
Podolski scored in the fourth and 12th minutes, with his forward partner Miroslav Klose playing a big role in both. Podolski now has three goals in the tournament.
Defender Teddy Lucic was sent off in the 35th for two yellow cards, and striker Henrik Larsson wasted a penalty kick in the 53rd to make matters worse for an overmatched Swedish team.
The Associated Press
LEIPZIG, Germany —; A blast of brilliance by Maxi Rodriguez separated Argentina from Mexico in a World Cup classic Saturday.
Argentina moved into the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory on Rodriguez’s goal in the 98th minute of the first extra-time game in the tournament. Rodriguez chested a long, arcing pass from captain Juan Sorin at the right corner of the penalty area and, in almost the same motion, wheeled and volleyed a soaring left-footed shot to the far portion of the net over flailing goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.
“I had not decided to shoot it, but the ball fell right in front of me,” Rodriguez said. “It’s one of those shots that can go into the stands or in the goal.”
The Argentines weren’t too exhausted to celebrate, mobbing Rodriguez after his third goal of the tournament —; and biggest of his life. Still, Argentina had to stave off Mexico for another 22 minutes —; there is no sudden death in this World Cup.
At the end, several Mexican players were crying. Mario Mendez kicked the turf at the center of the field, walking glumly for the sideline. Teammate Francisco Fonseca sat nearby, staring up into the stands.
Behind him in the far corner, bare-chested Argentina players twirled their shirts in the air, some dropping to their knees to salute their fans —; and each other.
Two-time champion Argentina lost in the 1998 quarterfinals and was knocked out in the first round four years ago. This time, Argentina topped its group before barely getting past a Mexican team that struggled to finish second in its opening-round group.
Until Rodriguez’s stunning shot, it was an almost dead-even game of attrition. Both teams scored early, with Rafael Marquez putting Mexico ahead in the sixth minute and Hernan Crespo equalizing in the 10th. Then they nearly wore each other out.
Mexico made the second round for the fourth straight time, but has lost each time.
“The winner is the one who scores the goal,” Marquez said, blaming Swiss referee Massimo Busacca for some of his team’s problems. “Mexico was pushing for a goal, but that great shot eliminated us.
“There is nothing to feel bad about. Things are as they are, but I’m sad we are out.”
The game was only the second matchup in the World Cup for the two Latin American powers, and much closer than Argentina’s 6-3 win when they last met in the inaugural tournament 76 years ago.
Marquez’s goal put Argentina behind for the first time in the tournament. Pavel Pardo sent in a free kick from the right side, which Mario Mendez headed across the goalmouth to a sliding Marquez. He knocked the ball over diving keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.
Argentina tied it four minutes later. Juan Roman Riquelme curled in a corner from the right side, which Jared Borgetti appeared to head into his own goal as he lunged to beat Crespo to the ball. However, the goal was awarded to Crespo.
* Germany 2, Sweden 0
MUNICH, Germany —; Lukas Podolski scored two early goals to lead Germany into the World Cup quarterfinals.
Podolski scored in the fourth and 12th minutes, with his forward partner Miroslav Klose playing a big role in both. Podolski now has three goals in the tournament.
Defender Teddy Lucic was sent off in the 35th for two yellow cards, and striker Henrik Larsson wasted a penalty kick in the 53rd to make matters worse for an overmatched Swedish team.
