Argentina too strong for Mexico..

6:30 PM GMT, June 27, 2010
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa



Argentina
3 - 1
Mexico

Controversy reigned again at Soccer City as Carlos Tevez's opener for Argentina against Mexico was yards offside. However, after Gonzalo Higuain's second, no-one could argue with his rocket shot that put Argentina three up before Javier Hernandez hit back with his own stunner.

On a day to forget for match officials, the Manchester City striker benefited from an offside decision blunder that was so blatant it ranked alongside the one that denied Frank Lampard in the England game four hours previously.

Scoring Summary

Argentina	Mexico
Carlos Tévez (26')	Javier Hernández (71')
Gonzalo Higuaín (33')
Carlos Tévez (52')

Match Stats

Argentina

Mexico

11(6)	Shots (on Goal)	16(6)
11	Fouls	26
2	Corner Kicks	5
1	Offsides	2
51%	Time of Possession	49%
0	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
3	Saves	3

Match Information

Stadium:	Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Attendance:
Match Time:	18:30 GMT
Official(s):	Roberto Rosetti (Italy)

Man of the Match: Carlos Tevez

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Carlos Tevez - While his first goal should not have stood, his overall performance and second goal were worthy of winning any match. Industrious as ever, he ran back 40 yards to defend a short corner, and it's that kind of work-rate that can make the difference in a team packed with flair players. His second goal was his crowning moment, though, smashing home from around 25 yards to score one of the goals of the tournament to date.

Argentina verdict: Diego Maradona can take this as more ammunition to use against the pre-tournament doubters, but the scoreline undoubtedly flattered them. The first goal was clearly offside, the second a gift, and their defence remains a glaring Achilles' heel. Nonetheless, with Tevez, Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain in attack, it will take an impressive defence indeed to stop their charge.

Mexico verdict: The better team in the opening stages, things fell apart when the referee controversially allowed the opening goal to stand. Apparently rattled, a dreadful mistake from Ricardo Osorio gave Argentina a second and they never really recovered. A lack of cutting-edge in attack has been a problem for some time, but Javier Hernandez took his goal exceptionally well and they have every right to believe luck was not on their side.

Could do better: Ricardo Osorio. While Mexico may have been able to battle back from a goal down, Osorio's wretched backpass gifted Argentina a second through Gonzalo Higuain. He failed to put the mistake behind him and continued to give away possession in his own half and the final scoreline could have been far worse for the Mexicans.

Stat attack: The last time Mexico conceded three goals or more in the World Cup was in 1978 against Poland.