LEIPZIG, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez blasted a brilliant volley home in extra time against desperate Mexico, sending twice world champions into the top eight of the 2006 World Cup here on Saturday.

    After a 1-1 tie in regular time, the Argentines grasped the hope in the first half of the extra time fight.

    Eight minutes into the extra, Juan Sorin played a cross from the left wing to Rodriguez on the right edge of the box.

    Rodriguez took it off his chest and stroke an amazing volley into the upper-left corner.

    Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez made a dive but even could not touch the ball.

    The second half of the extra time saw a left-wing cross looking for Mexican star striker Jared Borgetti, but he pushed a defender as he tried to fight for the high ball.

    Then another cross by Ricardo Osorio found Borgetti, but the Bolton forward could not get enough of his head on it.

    The last minutes witnessed crazy-going Mexicans in fierce attacking. Forward Jose Fonseca was called for a hand ball near the box and he kicked the ball away in anger.

    The breath-taking duel was an fantastic show to all spectators in the stadium and TV viewers around the world.

    None of the teams played conservatively in the match which witnessed flash-paced attacking, attacking and attacking.

    Despite fielding six defenders and only one midifielder, Mexico stunned the world by playing attacking football from the very beginning.

    Only six minutes into the game, Mexico's only midfielder Pavel Pardo served the out-swinger and it was flicked on by Antonio Jose Castro at the near post right to an unmarked Rafael Marquez at the far post.

    Marquez slid in to shoot it into the roof of the net.

    But Argentina earned their equalizer in the 10th minute.

    It was a well driven cross by world-class midfielder Juan Riquelme, and Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo managed to deflect it into the net before Mexico's Borgetti could clear.

    In the 57th minute, a corner kick from Riquelme found Rodriguez wide open to try a volley from 15 meters, but Mexcian keeper Sanchez tipped over for another corner.

    On 60 minutes, Riquelme put Javier Saviola through on the keeper, but Sanchez made a fantastic save.

    In the 86th minute, Mexico's attacking from the midfield found Gonzalo Pineda, who crossed for Fonseca.

    Fonseca's header flew narrowly wide.

    In the 90th minute, Argentine substitute Carlos Tevez seemed to be free on goal, but the Mexican defenders recovered before he could shoot.

    Both squads showcased their brilliant ball control skills and accurate passes and crosses in the match which could be the highest quality one in the on-going World Cup. Enditem