Monday, November 22, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
World Cup Ratings entering the Quarter-Finals
I have rated all World Cup teams in both qualifying and the final round. This logarithmic formula is calculated by using won-loss records, while also dividing a tie in both the win department and the loss department. In addition, I calculate goals for and goals against while also placing a higher value in the World Cup Finals. Here are the results entering the quarter-final phase.
1.0 Netherlands
.760 Spain
.699 Germany
.495 England [eliminated]
.485 Brazil
.477 Ivory Coast [eliminated]
.464 Portugal [eliminated]
.363 New Zealand [eliminated]
.334 Japan [eliminated]
.333 Australia [eliminated]
1.0 Netherlands
.760 Spain
.699 Germany
.495 England [eliminated]
.485 Brazil
.477 Ivory Coast [eliminated]
.464 Portugal [eliminated]
.363 New Zealand [eliminated]
.334 Japan [eliminated]
.333 Australia [eliminated]
Spain 1- 0 Portugal
BBC
European champions Spain survived a stern test from Portugal to book their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup through David Villa's goal.
Two years to the day since they beat Germany to triumph at Euro 2008, Vicente del Bosque's side showed their slick brand of passing football is still just as effective by edging out their well-drilled Iberian rivals.
Spain had to survive a succession of missed chances by the Portuguese in the first half but, once Villa broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with his fourth goal of the tournament, they rarely looked threatened.
Portugal, semi-finalists in Germany four years ago, had Ricardo Costa sent off for an off-the-ball clash with Joan Capdevila before the end but by then their fate already looked sealed.
The only concern for Spain, who play Paraguay in the last eight, is the continuing lack of form shown by striker Fernando Torres, who seems to still be feeling the after-effects of the knee operation he had in April.
Torres did play his part in a bright start by Spain, cutting into the area and testing Eduardo with a curling shot, but he quickly faded and it was actually Portugal who had the best openings before half-time.
Villa had also brought a fine save out of Eduardo early on, while Xavi fired a first-time shot over from a corner but, after surviving those scares, Carlos Queiroz's side not only found a way of keeping Spain at arms length, they also began to threaten at the other end.
Twice Cristiano Ronaldo tried his luck from long range with free-kicks, and on the second occasion Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas could not hold on to the ball and Gerard Pique had to mop up.
Casillas looked jittery again when he parried a pile-driver by Tiago and had to race to beat Hugo Almeida to the ball, which was dropping towards the net.
Almeida somehow missed the target after rising to meet Simao's inviting deep cross, while Tiago wasted another good opening when he nodded wide from Fabio Coentrao's driven centre.
That should have acted as a warning for Spain, but they were caught on the break again early in the second half and were lucky to escape when Almeida's cross span off Carlos Puyol and looped just beyond the far post.
Portugual failed to seriously test Casillas again after that, but it still took the introduction of striker Fernando Llorente, who came off the bench for the ineffective Torres just before the hour mark, to spark Spain into life.
Within seconds, Llorente met a Sergio Ramos cross with a diving header that flew straight at Eduardo, who was relieved when Villa bent a shot round his post from the outside of the box soon afterwards.
You sensed the Spanish knew this was their moment and, in their next attack, Xavi's clever backheel played in Villa, who had his first shot saved but lifted the rebound into the roof of the net.
Del Bosque's men grew in confidence after taking the lead and, with Ronaldo anonymous, Portugal seemed short on ideas of how they could find an equaliser.
Spain should have added to their lead before the end, with Eduardo saving from Ramos and Villa, while the impressive Llorente headed wide.
But one goal was enough for them to secure victory and they look in good shape to go past the last eight, which is as far as they have progressed at a World Cup since they finished fourth in Brazil in 1950.
European champions Spain survived a stern test from Portugal to book their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup through David Villa's goal.
Two years to the day since they beat Germany to triumph at Euro 2008, Vicente del Bosque's side showed their slick brand of passing football is still just as effective by edging out their well-drilled Iberian rivals.
Spain had to survive a succession of missed chances by the Portuguese in the first half but, once Villa broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with his fourth goal of the tournament, they rarely looked threatened.
Portugal, semi-finalists in Germany four years ago, had Ricardo Costa sent off for an off-the-ball clash with Joan Capdevila before the end but by then their fate already looked sealed.
The only concern for Spain, who play Paraguay in the last eight, is the continuing lack of form shown by striker Fernando Torres, who seems to still be feeling the after-effects of the knee operation he had in April.
Torres did play his part in a bright start by Spain, cutting into the area and testing Eduardo with a curling shot, but he quickly faded and it was actually Portugal who had the best openings before half-time.
Villa had also brought a fine save out of Eduardo early on, while Xavi fired a first-time shot over from a corner but, after surviving those scares, Carlos Queiroz's side not only found a way of keeping Spain at arms length, they also began to threaten at the other end.
Twice Cristiano Ronaldo tried his luck from long range with free-kicks, and on the second occasion Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas could not hold on to the ball and Gerard Pique had to mop up.
Casillas looked jittery again when he parried a pile-driver by Tiago and had to race to beat Hugo Almeida to the ball, which was dropping towards the net.
Almeida somehow missed the target after rising to meet Simao's inviting deep cross, while Tiago wasted another good opening when he nodded wide from Fabio Coentrao's driven centre.
That should have acted as a warning for Spain, but they were caught on the break again early in the second half and were lucky to escape when Almeida's cross span off Carlos Puyol and looped just beyond the far post.
Portugual failed to seriously test Casillas again after that, but it still took the introduction of striker Fernando Llorente, who came off the bench for the ineffective Torres just before the hour mark, to spark Spain into life.
Within seconds, Llorente met a Sergio Ramos cross with a diving header that flew straight at Eduardo, who was relieved when Villa bent a shot round his post from the outside of the box soon afterwards.
You sensed the Spanish knew this was their moment and, in their next attack, Xavi's clever backheel played in Villa, who had his first shot saved but lifted the rebound into the roof of the net.
Del Bosque's men grew in confidence after taking the lead and, with Ronaldo anonymous, Portugal seemed short on ideas of how they could find an equaliser.
Spain should have added to their lead before the end, with Eduardo saving from Ramos and Villa, while the impressive Llorente headed wide.
But one goal was enough for them to secure victory and they look in good shape to go past the last eight, which is as far as they have progressed at a World Cup since they finished fourth in Brazil in 1950.
Paraguay 0 - 0 Japan [Paraguay wins with PK]
BBC
Paraguay won the first penalty shoot-out of the 2010 World Cup to reach the last eight for the first time and clinch a quarter-final place against either Spain or Portugal.
Coach Gerardo Martino's men scored all five of their penalties after a disappointing match had finished goalless at the end of extra-time.
But Paraguay's joy was Japan's agony as Yuichi Komano's spot-kick brushed the crossbar and flew over as the Blue Samurai's tournament came to an agonising end.
As with their opponents, Japan were bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time and came closest to scoring during a game of few chances when Daisuke Matsui smashed a long-range strike against the crossbar in the first half.
Japan coach Takeshi Okada had targeted a semi-final place before the tournament. But, in a game during which neither side really gambled on scoring a winner, it is Okada's team that ultimately paid for their lack of ambition.
Their defeat ended Asia's participation in the tournament, but Tuesday's result in Pretoria ensured that there will be four South American sides in the last eight.
Martin's Paraguay have conceded only once in their four games in South Africa and were defensively solid against a Japan team that had previously looked dangerous on the counter attack.
Okada's men aimed two long-distance strikes towards the Paraguay goal in the opening minutes but the tie soon deteriorated into a scrappy, edgy contest.
The Blue Samurai, unchanged for their fourth straight World Cup match, sat deep and attempted to snuff out the opposition, while their opponents conceded a series of niggling fouls every time Japan looked to strike on the counter.
There was one scintillating minute in an otherwise forgettable opening half.
It started when a deft turn from Lucas Barrios briefly left two Japan defenders foundering but his strike with the outside of his right boot was saved.
Seconds later Matsui, whose impressive tournament had a disappointing end when he was withdrawn shortly after the restart, crashed his long-range effort against Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar's crossbar.
Matsui later turned provider for Honda, who opted to strike first time but missed from 20 yards when he clearly had the space to take an initial touch.
Roque Santa Cruz, deployed on the right by Martino, ought to have tested Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima after a corner dropped invitingly but the striker missed from close to the penalty spot as a largely soporific half ended goalless.
There was not much of an upsurge in entertainment after the restart.
Yuji Nakazawa blocked an Edgar Benitez strike and Sunderland-bound Christian Riveros headed wide after a superb near-post run.
A Yuto Nagatomo strike took a deflection off Carlos Bonet, while one effort from the unfortunate right-back Komano spoke volumes about the lack of attacking quality at vital moments.
Komano found an advanced position but his shot from a wide angle was so far wide that the subsequent throw-in took place almost 18 yards from the byeline.
Neither team had been able to mount a sustained spell of pressure but Paraguay did enjoy a brief period in the ascendancy shortly after the start of extra-time.
Kawashima saved a disappointing header from Barrios, who was unmarked, and smothered a shot from substitute Nelson Valdez after his sharp turn finally picked a hole in the Japan defence.
Villar saved a low strike from Honda that appeared to be going wide and there was one moment when there appeared to be space inside the Paraguay box but any prospects of Japan capitalising were undermined by an awful cross from substitute Keiji Tamada.
There was a certain inevitability about the penalty shoot-out that eventually took place. Neither keeper came particularly close to making a save but Komano's miss proved decisive.
Paraguay won the first penalty shoot-out of the 2010 World Cup to reach the last eight for the first time and clinch a quarter-final place against either Spain or Portugal.
Coach Gerardo Martino's men scored all five of their penalties after a disappointing match had finished goalless at the end of extra-time.
But Paraguay's joy was Japan's agony as Yuichi Komano's spot-kick brushed the crossbar and flew over as the Blue Samurai's tournament came to an agonising end.
As with their opponents, Japan were bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time and came closest to scoring during a game of few chances when Daisuke Matsui smashed a long-range strike against the crossbar in the first half.
Japan coach Takeshi Okada had targeted a semi-final place before the tournament. But, in a game during which neither side really gambled on scoring a winner, it is Okada's team that ultimately paid for their lack of ambition.
Their defeat ended Asia's participation in the tournament, but Tuesday's result in Pretoria ensured that there will be four South American sides in the last eight.
Martin's Paraguay have conceded only once in their four games in South Africa and were defensively solid against a Japan team that had previously looked dangerous on the counter attack.
Okada's men aimed two long-distance strikes towards the Paraguay goal in the opening minutes but the tie soon deteriorated into a scrappy, edgy contest.
The Blue Samurai, unchanged for their fourth straight World Cup match, sat deep and attempted to snuff out the opposition, while their opponents conceded a series of niggling fouls every time Japan looked to strike on the counter.
There was one scintillating minute in an otherwise forgettable opening half.
It started when a deft turn from Lucas Barrios briefly left two Japan defenders foundering but his strike with the outside of his right boot was saved.
Seconds later Matsui, whose impressive tournament had a disappointing end when he was withdrawn shortly after the restart, crashed his long-range effort against Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar's crossbar.
Matsui later turned provider for Honda, who opted to strike first time but missed from 20 yards when he clearly had the space to take an initial touch.
Roque Santa Cruz, deployed on the right by Martino, ought to have tested Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima after a corner dropped invitingly but the striker missed from close to the penalty spot as a largely soporific half ended goalless.
There was not much of an upsurge in entertainment after the restart.
Yuji Nakazawa blocked an Edgar Benitez strike and Sunderland-bound Christian Riveros headed wide after a superb near-post run.
A Yuto Nagatomo strike took a deflection off Carlos Bonet, while one effort from the unfortunate right-back Komano spoke volumes about the lack of attacking quality at vital moments.
Komano found an advanced position but his shot from a wide angle was so far wide that the subsequent throw-in took place almost 18 yards from the byeline.
Neither team had been able to mount a sustained spell of pressure but Paraguay did enjoy a brief period in the ascendancy shortly after the start of extra-time.
Kawashima saved a disappointing header from Barrios, who was unmarked, and smothered a shot from substitute Nelson Valdez after his sharp turn finally picked a hole in the Japan defence.
Villar saved a low strike from Honda that appeared to be going wide and there was one moment when there appeared to be space inside the Paraguay box but any prospects of Japan capitalising were undermined by an awful cross from substitute Keiji Tamada.
There was a certain inevitability about the penalty shoot-out that eventually took place. Neither keeper came particularly close to making a save but Komano's miss proved decisive.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Now Can We Have Instant Replay?
Wall Street Journal
We know what the proper and sporting thing to say here is. Great game, Germany. You really stuck it to England in Sunday's World Cup match, you clearly had the fitter team, you dominated the pitch and deserved to win. Bravo, Deutschland. Fantastic hair, too.
Did you see this madness? You have to have seen it by now! It's going to be replayed so often for the next four years they might as well print it on the £5 note. It's made England so mad that it has stopped insisting that its torpid and underachieving national team walk home from South Africa.
OK, kidding about that last part. England's still seething at its boys. Wayne Rooney probably wishes he played soccer for France.
But at least there's now a big video controversy to distract the angry mob. Down 2-1 in the first half of Sunday's round-of-16 match to dreaded rival Germany, England's Frank Lampard lifted a shot that hit the crossbar and appeared to land behind the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer—and the white line.
It was bizarre. We were all supposed to awkwardly ignore Mr. Lampard's equalizer, like a guest who'd arrived at a formal dinner party not wearing any pants. Germany went on to dominate the second half and win efficiently and decisively, 4-1.
And then it happened again, just hours later. In the first half of the contest between Argentina and Mexico, referees missed a blatant offside call against Argentina in allowing a Carlos Tévez header goal that made it 1-0. Argentina wound up winning, 3-1.
If you're mannerly, scared or a high-ranking FIFA official, you need to keep telling yourself that England and Mexico weren't going anywhere, anyway, that even if Mr. Lampard's goal had been allowed or Mr. Tévez's had been denied, the complexion of the game wouldn't have dramatically changed, and the outcome would have been identical.
Probably true—but totally lame. We've officially reached our limit with a balky game that continues to deny basic modernity. If Larry King can become pals with Ryan Seacrest, then any sport can embrace some instant replay.
We thought the replay debate would end for good after a baseball umpire's ghastly call stole a perfect game to Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga. But this World Cup is making backward baseball look like "Blade Runner."
Who is left to defend the lack of replay in modern sport? Basically, it's down to The Romantics, The Slippery Slopers and the Laughably Impatient. Here's a rundown of each holdout camp:
The Romantics: Ruminative counterintuitive-ists, often literary, inclined to dress in tweed and grow unkempt facial hair. Insist that controversy is part of sport, that arguments over officiating mistakes actually boost fan passion and fuel mystique. See cosmic significance in England's getting stiffed on a call Sunday, 44 years after Englishman Geoff Hurst's controversial goal against Germany in 1966. Enjoy writing long and pretentious comments on Internet message boards, or starting loud, boorish disputes with strangers in airport bars.
The Slippery Slopers: Luddite Cassandras. Worry that any introduction of replay technology will send us spiraling downward to the point where all games will eventually played by soulless robots, just like pro golf. Argue that as soon as you start reviewing goals, you'll start reviewing offsides, then yellow cards, and then Diego Maradona's suits, and pretty soon you're wrestling Mr. Maradona on the floor at a press conference, and he's actually still very strong, but at least he smells like flowers and chocolate-chip cookies.
The Laughably Impatient: Always in a hurry. Come on! They have stuff to do. They have absolutely no time for any instant replay, for any official who wants to pause the clock and make things right. They watch TV standing up, feed themselves nachos intravenously and never even use the restroom. They want this World Cup game to be over right now, so they can go and spend 90 minutes reading ESPN.com and another 30 scouring vuvuzelas on eBay.
What do all of these anti-replay-ites have in common? They are not Frank Lampard. They don't play for Mexico. They may work for FIFA. They are happy to stand in the way of accuracy because they're stubborn. It's not petty or whiny to say that mistakes are overshadowing this World Cup. Instead of golden goals, we're getting too many garbled ones.
Early Cancellation
When Landon Donovan scored in stoppage time against Algeria on Wednesday to send the U.S. into the knockout round, we thought it would finally do away with the "Soccer is Boring" critics in this country, and at least briefly quiet the skeptics who love to dismiss the home team as second-rate. But now, here the cranks come again, after the U.S. dropped a 2-1 extra-time match to Ghana on Saturday. This is silly. The U.S. didn't get bounced because it lacked skill or heart. The Americans got bounced because they dangerously kept treating their matches like the prosecutors on "Law & Order": They didn't pay attention to the first half of the show. And like "Law & Order," they got cancelled and will be missed.
We know what the proper and sporting thing to say here is. Great game, Germany. You really stuck it to England in Sunday's World Cup match, you clearly had the fitter team, you dominated the pitch and deserved to win. Bravo, Deutschland. Fantastic hair, too.
Did you see this madness? You have to have seen it by now! It's going to be replayed so often for the next four years they might as well print it on the £5 note. It's made England so mad that it has stopped insisting that its torpid and underachieving national team walk home from South Africa.
OK, kidding about that last part. England's still seething at its boys. Wayne Rooney probably wishes he played soccer for France.
But at least there's now a big video controversy to distract the angry mob. Down 2-1 in the first half of Sunday's round-of-16 match to dreaded rival Germany, England's Frank Lampard lifted a shot that hit the crossbar and appeared to land behind the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer—and the white line.
It was bizarre. We were all supposed to awkwardly ignore Mr. Lampard's equalizer, like a guest who'd arrived at a formal dinner party not wearing any pants. Germany went on to dominate the second half and win efficiently and decisively, 4-1.
And then it happened again, just hours later. In the first half of the contest between Argentina and Mexico, referees missed a blatant offside call against Argentina in allowing a Carlos Tévez header goal that made it 1-0. Argentina wound up winning, 3-1.
If you're mannerly, scared or a high-ranking FIFA official, you need to keep telling yourself that England and Mexico weren't going anywhere, anyway, that even if Mr. Lampard's goal had been allowed or Mr. Tévez's had been denied, the complexion of the game wouldn't have dramatically changed, and the outcome would have been identical.
Probably true—but totally lame. We've officially reached our limit with a balky game that continues to deny basic modernity. If Larry King can become pals with Ryan Seacrest, then any sport can embrace some instant replay.
We thought the replay debate would end for good after a baseball umpire's ghastly call stole a perfect game to Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga. But this World Cup is making backward baseball look like "Blade Runner."
Who is left to defend the lack of replay in modern sport? Basically, it's down to The Romantics, The Slippery Slopers and the Laughably Impatient. Here's a rundown of each holdout camp:
The Romantics: Ruminative counterintuitive-ists, often literary, inclined to dress in tweed and grow unkempt facial hair. Insist that controversy is part of sport, that arguments over officiating mistakes actually boost fan passion and fuel mystique. See cosmic significance in England's getting stiffed on a call Sunday, 44 years after Englishman Geoff Hurst's controversial goal against Germany in 1966. Enjoy writing long and pretentious comments on Internet message boards, or starting loud, boorish disputes with strangers in airport bars.
The Slippery Slopers: Luddite Cassandras. Worry that any introduction of replay technology will send us spiraling downward to the point where all games will eventually played by soulless robots, just like pro golf. Argue that as soon as you start reviewing goals, you'll start reviewing offsides, then yellow cards, and then Diego Maradona's suits, and pretty soon you're wrestling Mr. Maradona on the floor at a press conference, and he's actually still very strong, but at least he smells like flowers and chocolate-chip cookies.
The Laughably Impatient: Always in a hurry. Come on! They have stuff to do. They have absolutely no time for any instant replay, for any official who wants to pause the clock and make things right. They watch TV standing up, feed themselves nachos intravenously and never even use the restroom. They want this World Cup game to be over right now, so they can go and spend 90 minutes reading ESPN.com and another 30 scouring vuvuzelas on eBay.
What do all of these anti-replay-ites have in common? They are not Frank Lampard. They don't play for Mexico. They may work for FIFA. They are happy to stand in the way of accuracy because they're stubborn. It's not petty or whiny to say that mistakes are overshadowing this World Cup. Instead of golden goals, we're getting too many garbled ones.
Early Cancellation
When Landon Donovan scored in stoppage time against Algeria on Wednesday to send the U.S. into the knockout round, we thought it would finally do away with the "Soccer is Boring" critics in this country, and at least briefly quiet the skeptics who love to dismiss the home team as second-rate. But now, here the cranks come again, after the U.S. dropped a 2-1 extra-time match to Ghana on Saturday. This is silly. The U.S. didn't get bounced because it lacked skill or heart. The Americans got bounced because they dangerously kept treating their matches like the prosecutors on "Law & Order": They didn't pay attention to the first half of the show. And like "Law & Order," they got cancelled and will be missed.
Argentina 3 - 1 Mexico
BBC
Argentina disposed of Mexico to seal a quarter-final tie against Germany - but Diego Maradona's side were aided by another terrible decision on a day of controversy at the World Cup.
Just as England had been incensed earlier on Sunday when a Frank Lampard shot that clearly crossed the goal-line was not awarded in their match against Germany, so Mexico had the right to feel aggrieved by another example of awful officiating.
Javier Aguirre's side probably edged an engrossing opening phase to the contest, but they never recovered after Carlos Tevez headed Argentina in front despite being yards offside when the ball was played to him by Lionel Messi.
It was a decision that prompted the Mexican side to surround the linesman in the aftermath of the goal being awarded and led to a melee as the referee tried to leave the field at the break.
Mexico's prospects of clawing their way back into the contest faded after Ricardo Osorio gifted possession to Gonzalo Higuain, who slotted home his fourth goal of the competition to give Argentina breathing space by the break.
And Tevez's sensational second-half strike ensured that Maradona's team continued their excellent form in South Africa with their fourth straight win of the tournament.
They can now focus on gaining a measure of revenge on Germany, who knocked them out of the 2006 World Cup at the quarter-final stage after a penalty shoot-out.
But the match will doubtless leave a bitter taste in the mouth for Mexico, who pulled a goal back through Javier Hernandez.
El Tri were intent on avenging their defeat against Argentina in 2006 but have now bowed out of the last five World Cups at the round of 16 stage.
Until Argentina took a grip on the tie by scoring twice in eight first-half minutes it had been a fascinating contest between two sides that were obviously comfortable in possession.
There were some wonderful passages of play as both sides enjoyed periods when they probed their opponent's defensive structure with crisp passing and intelligent movement.
Carlos Salcido crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar and Andres Guardado shot narrowly wide as Mexico found space in front of an Argentina backline that many believe to be a possible weak link in an otherwise gifted side.
There had been relatively little to alarm the Mexican side when Tevez struck his controversial opener, which came after his initial effort had been smothered by Oscar Perez and Messi hooked the rebound back into the box.
The goal clearly rattled the Mexicans, particularly after they saw a replay on the big screen inside Soccer City and surrounded the guilty linesman in angry protest.
Several Argentine players, waiting for the restart, joined the fray, perhaps fearing the goal would be ruled out - and there was confusion inside the ground but Tevez's headed finish stood.
Mexico only had themselves to blame for the Albiceleste's second after Osorio, under no immediate pressure, scuffed a pass close to the edge of his penalty area, allowing Higuain to snatch the ball before rounding Perez and slotting home.
Higuain should probably have sealed Argentina's place in the last eight before the break but headed wide from six yards, while Mexico's Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez was inches from connecting with a cross in injury time.
The Tevez goal was clearly still a source of frustration and several Mexicans surrounded Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and his team as they made their way from the field.
Within seconds players from both teams, plus the ever-involved Maradona, had formed a scrum that threatened to boil over.
Poor officiating and sloppy play had nothing to do with the decisive third goal, which came shortly after the restart when Tevez rifled the ball into the top corner with an unstoppable long-range effort.
Mexico might have thrown in the towel but continued to press, with Hernandez heading wide again and Gabriel Heinze clearing off the line from substitute Guillermo Franco.
They did pull one back when the previously profligate Hernandez turned beautifully to lose the flat-footed Martin DeMichelis before burying a shot beyond Sergio Romero.
Messi, who had a quiet second half, almost scored his first of the tournament late on after a mazy run but his shot was well saved.
Argentina disposed of Mexico to seal a quarter-final tie against Germany - but Diego Maradona's side were aided by another terrible decision on a day of controversy at the World Cup.
Just as England had been incensed earlier on Sunday when a Frank Lampard shot that clearly crossed the goal-line was not awarded in their match against Germany, so Mexico had the right to feel aggrieved by another example of awful officiating.
Javier Aguirre's side probably edged an engrossing opening phase to the contest, but they never recovered after Carlos Tevez headed Argentina in front despite being yards offside when the ball was played to him by Lionel Messi.
It was a decision that prompted the Mexican side to surround the linesman in the aftermath of the goal being awarded and led to a melee as the referee tried to leave the field at the break.
Mexico's prospects of clawing their way back into the contest faded after Ricardo Osorio gifted possession to Gonzalo Higuain, who slotted home his fourth goal of the competition to give Argentina breathing space by the break.
And Tevez's sensational second-half strike ensured that Maradona's team continued their excellent form in South Africa with their fourth straight win of the tournament.
They can now focus on gaining a measure of revenge on Germany, who knocked them out of the 2006 World Cup at the quarter-final stage after a penalty shoot-out.
But the match will doubtless leave a bitter taste in the mouth for Mexico, who pulled a goal back through Javier Hernandez.
El Tri were intent on avenging their defeat against Argentina in 2006 but have now bowed out of the last five World Cups at the round of 16 stage.
Until Argentina took a grip on the tie by scoring twice in eight first-half minutes it had been a fascinating contest between two sides that were obviously comfortable in possession.
There were some wonderful passages of play as both sides enjoyed periods when they probed their opponent's defensive structure with crisp passing and intelligent movement.
Carlos Salcido crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar and Andres Guardado shot narrowly wide as Mexico found space in front of an Argentina backline that many believe to be a possible weak link in an otherwise gifted side.
There had been relatively little to alarm the Mexican side when Tevez struck his controversial opener, which came after his initial effort had been smothered by Oscar Perez and Messi hooked the rebound back into the box.
The goal clearly rattled the Mexicans, particularly after they saw a replay on the big screen inside Soccer City and surrounded the guilty linesman in angry protest.
Several Argentine players, waiting for the restart, joined the fray, perhaps fearing the goal would be ruled out - and there was confusion inside the ground but Tevez's headed finish stood.
Mexico only had themselves to blame for the Albiceleste's second after Osorio, under no immediate pressure, scuffed a pass close to the edge of his penalty area, allowing Higuain to snatch the ball before rounding Perez and slotting home.
Higuain should probably have sealed Argentina's place in the last eight before the break but headed wide from six yards, while Mexico's Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez was inches from connecting with a cross in injury time.
The Tevez goal was clearly still a source of frustration and several Mexicans surrounded Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and his team as they made their way from the field.
Within seconds players from both teams, plus the ever-involved Maradona, had formed a scrum that threatened to boil over.
Poor officiating and sloppy play had nothing to do with the decisive third goal, which came shortly after the restart when Tevez rifled the ball into the top corner with an unstoppable long-range effort.
Mexico might have thrown in the towel but continued to press, with Hernandez heading wide again and Gabriel Heinze clearing off the line from substitute Guillermo Franco.
They did pull one back when the previously profligate Hernandez turned beautifully to lose the flat-footed Martin DeMichelis before burying a shot beyond Sergio Romero.
Messi, who had a quiet second half, almost scored his first of the tournament late on after a mazy run but his shot was well saved.
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