Diego Maradona became the darling of millions of adoring young fans when he led Argentina to the World Cup in Mexico 24 years ago. Many of those young Mexicans, all grown up now, will stand in his way as he looks to coach his side to victory.
In a repeat of the 2006 round of 16 match, Argentina will lock horns with Mexico at the Soccer City Stadium here on Sunday eager to repeat their triumph from four years back.
Argentina progressed to the knockout stage with a perfect record playing, at times sublime football with the otherworldly skills of Lionel Messi as the pivot. Messi may not have gotten his name of the score sheet yet, but he has been menacing rival defenders and setting up his teammates perfectly. Another inspired display by the Barcelona star could rekindle memories of a 1-2 extra-time defeat the Mexicans suffered.
Messi was still finding his footing in international football then and it was a sublime volley from the right edge of the penalty box into the top corner of the far post by Maxi Rodriguez that sealed the Mexicans’ fate. The Atletico midfielder said he would take even a simple tap-in this time, if it were to help his side to the quarterfinals. “I hope I get the chance to play and that the team win, then if I get the possibility of a goal I’ll be happy just to push it over the line,” Rodriguez said.
Gonzalo Higuain and strike partner Carlos Tevez will return to starting line-up as Sergio Kun Aguero and Diego Milito will return to the bench after starting in the inconsequential final group match against Greece.