World Cup 2010: Argentina v Mexico - Knockout stage

In the dressing room before the match, the kit of Argentina's Angel Di Maria gives a clue to his religious beliefs Photograph: Alex Livesey /FIFA via Getty Images Photograph: Alex Livesey /guardian.co.uk A Mexico fan puts his belief in a different type of religion to stop one of Argentina's danger men, Lionel Messi Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/guardian.co.uk Argentinian fans cheer in front of an image of their team's coach, Diego Maradona Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/guardian.co.uk As the pundits expected, it's an open game and there are chances at both ends. In the 26th minute Carlos Tevez heads home from close range. The controversy is that Tevez is yards offside when Messi chips the ball towards him over the goalkeeper Oscar Perez. The Manchester City striker then heads the ball home before the Mexico defenders can hack it clear Photograph: Guillermo Arias/AP Photograph: Guillermo Arias/guardian.co.uk Tevez goes off to celebrate. Meanwhile ... Photograph: Alex Livesey /FIFA via Getty Images Photograph: Alex Livesey /guardian.co.uk ... the flabbergasted Mexican players head off to remonstrate with linesman Stefano Ayroldi. He was keeping up with play and should have spotted it as it was as plain as the nose on his face. Soon the Argentinian players are over complaining too, and eventually the referee, who was also in the melee, confirms that the goal will stand Photograph: Gerry Penny/EPA Photograph: Gerry Penny/guardian.co.uk Lionel Messi in full flight Photograph: Mike Hewitt/FIFA via Getty Images Photograph: Mike Hewitt/guardian.co.uk Things go from bad to worse for Mexico just seven minutes later but this time it is of their own making. Ricardo Osorio makes an awful, blind sideways pass 30 yards from goal which goes to Gonzalo Higuain. He says 'thank you very much' and speeds off towards the Mexico goal. Perez comes out to narrow the angle but a lovely little dragback leaves him floundering on the ground and the Argentina forward skips around him and slips the ball into the net Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images Photograph: Jamie McDonald/guardian.co.uk ... and then finds himself mobbed by his team-mates Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPA Photograph: Kerim Okten/guardian.co.uk There are no doubts about this goal. The ball falls to Tevez 25 yards out, he takes a touch to control it, then leathers it and it flies into the Mexico net. It's a wonderful goal Photograph: Getty Images Photograph: guardian.co.uk The power of the shot gives Perez no chance Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/guardian.co.uk With 20 minutes to go, Javier Hernandez pulls one back for Mexico. It's a lovely goal and he has every reason to celebrate it. The ball gets played through to him and he turns brilliantly away from Martin Demichelis then he jinks into the box, takes it a tad to the left to give himself some more space before spanking it into the top corner at the near post Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images Photograph: Jamie McDonald/guardian.co.uk Mexico continue to have the lion's share of possession as well as creating a few chances, but they can't convert them and the game finishes 3-1. Maradona is pleased with the result and Argentina will now play Germany in the quarter-finals. Now that is a match to look forward to Photograph: Alex Livesey/FIFA via Getty Images Photograph: Alex Livesey/guardian.co.uk