LEIPZIG, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Andy Roxburgh, a member
of the FIFA Technical Study Group, on Saturday hailed the Argentina-Mexico game
as a great match at the World Cup.
Argentina edged Mexico 2-1 in extra time with a full-time 1-1 draw, advancing to the quarterfinals.
"This was the most intense game of the FIFA World Cup
so far, and the two sides put on a spectacular show. Argentina were the big
favourites going into the game, but Mexico proved a match for them," Roxburgh
said.
"The main difference in both sides' approach to the
game was that Mexico were more fluid, their movement was excellent and the
players combined well with each other.
"Argentina were a little more structured, with the
outstanding Mascherano the ball-winner in midfield and Juan Riquelme playing
some great, and some not-so-great passes, " he added.
Mexico defender Marquez's opening goal, which came
after a superb, well-rehearsed move, changed the rhythm of the game. It forced
Argentina to look for an equaliser immediately and they got one with a somewhat
fortunate goal. The level of intensity did not drop thereafter and both sides
played some high-quality football.
"The two teams looked evenly matched in extra-time,
but Lionel Messi tipped the balance. It seemed as if Argentina would take the
lead at any time thanks to his extraordinary skills. What decided the match,
though, was Maxi Rodriguez's fabulous goal, a wonderful way to decide a game
such as this," Roxburgh said.
"You have to feel very sorry for Mexico. Their
players more than held their own and were tactically superb. They had the great
misfortune to lose Pardo early on, an absolutely vital player to them. At the
end of the day, it was going to take an exceptional goal to settle the game, and
that's how it turned out, " he noted.Enditem