Sat 24th Jun 2006

Maxi Rodriguez's stunning volleyed winner helped Argentina claim a quarter-final clash with Germany after a 2-1 extra-time victory over Mexico.

There had been no seperating the two sides during an end-to-end 90 minutes with Jared Borgetti's own goal cancelling out Rafael Marquez's opener.

But just eight minutes into the additional 30, Rodriguez netted his third and best goal of the 2006 World Cup to send Jose Pekerman's side into the last eight at the expense of a distraught Mexico.

Ricardo Lavolpe's side had made an energetic start and took a deserved lead with just five minutes played when Pavel Pardo's free-kick on the right was flicked on by Carlos Salcido and Marquez escaped unnoticed around the back to volley past Roberto Abbondanzieri.

But their lead lasted just five minutes when Juan Riquelme's right-wing corner was headed into his own net by Borgetti at the near post under pressure from Hernan Crespo.

The goal seemed to spark Argentina into life and they almost went ahead when Crespo lifted a bouncing ball over Oswaldo Sanchez but watched in frustration as it dropped inches wide of the far post.

Borgetti then tried his luck with a 25-yard drive that forced an excellent save from Abbondanzieri.

Argentina were fortunate to escape a red card on the stroke of half-time when Gabriel Heinze brought down Francisco Fonseca after he miscontrolled Abbondanzieri's goal-kick. As the last man, the Manchester United defender could consider himself extremely fortunate, while Ramon Morales hit the following free-kick into the wall.

Mexico continued where they left off after the break with Borgetti's presence in the box forcing Abbondanzieri to parry, while at the other end Sanchez was forced to push the ball over the bar from a bouncing Rodriguez volley.

Riquelme's fine throughball then picked out Javier Saviola but Sanchez beat away his effort one-on-one.

Argentina brought on Carlos Tevez, Pablo Aimar and Lionel Messi, and the latter paired up to score what looked like an injury-time winner when Messi tapped home, only for Aimar to be incorrectly flagged offside.

But eight minutes into the extra period, Rodriguez set Leipzig alight with a goal-of-the-tournament contender when he let fly with a stunning left-footed volley from 25 yards which flew into the top corner of Sanchez's goal.

Mexico did their best to get back on level terms but there was no way through as Argentina booked a last-eight showdown with hosts Germany in Berlin on Friday.