27.06.2010 23:15
Marquez out, Messi to quarterfinals
Marc Guillén
In the R16 match between Argentina and Mexico, Messi got the better of his Barca team-mate Marquez as Maradona’s men ran out 3-1 winners. Meanwhile, Dani Alves and the Brazilian side will face Chile on Monday evening.
Messi guides Argentina to the quarterfinals
Leo Messi played a captain’s game against Rafa Marquez’s Mexico despite not
wearing the captain’s armband. He played in a much deeper position than with Barca although
he had total freedom to move and create danger. Both Messi and Marquez were on the pitch for the
full 90 minutes.
However, it was Mexico, anchored in central midfield by skipper Rafa Marquez, who dominated
the opening 20 minutes and denied Argentina the ball – much to the dismay of Maradona and his
assistants. It took a trademark piece of skill from Messi, together with a clear mistake by the
referee, to open up the Mexico defence and turn the flow of the match around.
Messi sets up first goal
In the 26th minute, Messi played a deep pass to Carlos Tevez from the edge of the
box. The Manchester City striker failed to control in the face of a challenge from the Mexican
keeper and the ball bounced back to Messi, who immediately chipped it back over the heads of the
Mexican backline for Tevez to score at will. The video playback showed that Tevez was clearly
offside but despite angry protests from the Mexican team, led by captain Rafa Marquez, the goal
stood. The frustration showed when two minutes later, Marquez was booked for a foul on his Barca
team-mate.
The goal tipped the balance very much in Argentina’s favour and first Higuain (min.33)
and then Tevez again (min.52) put the result beyond doubt before Hernandez scored a consolation
goal for Mexico (min.71) to make the final score 3-1 and send Messi through to the quarterfinals.
Rafa Marquez says goodbye to his third World Cup with his head held high.
Alves faces Chile
On Monday evening, Messi should be joined in the next round by Barca team-mate Dani
Alves when Brazil take on Chile in the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg. Brazil have won the last
seven matches between the two countries with an overwhelming goal difference of 26 to 3. Alves has
been used by Brazil manager Dunga in all three matches so far and will probably take up his usual
role on the right of midfield.
Tuesday will be a big day for the largest Barca contingent in the World Cup when Spain take
on Portugal in the Green Point stadium in Cape Town.
Match stats
México: Pérez, Juárez, Osorio, Rodríguez, Salcido, Márquez, Torrado, Guardado
(Guille Franco, 60'), Giovani Dos Santos, Chicharito and Bautista (Barrera, 45').
Argentina: Romero, Otamendi, Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze, Mascherano, Maxi
Rodríguez (Pastore, 87'), Di María (Jonas, 78'), Messi, Tévez (Veron, 68') and Higuaín.
Goals:
1-0. Tévez, m 24.
2-0. Higuaín, m 32.
3-0. Tévez, m 52.
3-1. Chicharito, m 70.
Árbitro: Roberto Rosetti.