A bit of an abbreviated report seeing that it is the fourth posting of the day. A terrific game - tight and hard-fought - and one that could have gone either way. Moralez' goal right on half time was the difference but Mexico had chances particularly in the first half. Vela struck a shot that deflected through Romero's legs to safety and then he rattled the post.
I thought that Di Maria had a great 75 minutes for Argentina before he was substituted - a great little reverse pass played Moralez in for his goal. For Mexico, Villaluz was in my opinion their best player.
After the weekends play their is no doubt in my mind that three or perhaps all four of the best four teams in the competition were in the second half of the quarter final draw.
IMO Not a flashy game. Like samurai duels in Akira Kurosawa movies. Not a lot of swings, but when they do it really hurts.
Aguero was pretty much shut down. The only chance he had in first half, the damn sun was in his eyes.
Di Maria, Piatti and Moralez all had a good game today. And of course Romero and the goal post. Mexico seemed very focused on their right wing in the first half. That was unsuccessful so they made substitutions to try change their approach. By 70th minute they probably realized it was over. After those couple mid route pokes, they seemed to have given up, and the game went to garbege time...
I thought Argentina's defenders used their superior size and strength to great effect, especially in the second half. Vela and Dos Santos started brightly, but once Argentina tightened its marking and realized the ref was OK with physical challenges it often looked like men vs. boys. As riostrioff noted I was surprised that Mexico seemed to give up. They usually play with great fire and passion. Perhaps the smothering Argenine defense put out the flame. It will be great fun to see how Arguero and Dos Santos develop. They are very exciting players who certainly have the potential to star at higher levels.
I am a Mexican fan but I must say Argentina played perfectly. But c'mon what do you expect when little Mexican boys take on Argentine giants?!?! I thought Argentina's goal was pretty lucky because it took that deflection but if it hadn't Blanco had it covered. This game practically was the final, because with the elimination of Spain yesterday these are by far the best teams in the tourney. Either Mexico or Argentina can beat any team in this tournament. Argentina will win no doubt.
I don't know what Chile's recent record in this age group is against Argentina, but they have a shot at going to the final.
I think Argentina is a slight favorite, and that little guy Moralez is a fun player to watch. But Chile has shown that they are technically sound, and I doubt that they are scared of Argentina.
Mexico played well, but Argentina took advantage of the mistake the defense made. The whole game was hard fought and I am a little disappointed that Ramirez took out Vela out of the game. He was creating chances and sooner or later one was going to be capitalized. It's a shame it couldn't have been Mexico vs. Argentina in the final.
flashman - I actually watched the second half but it didn't seem right to do a Toronto FC 2nd half report. The Dynamo must be worndering how to failed to score and TFC is thinking great result.
I have to agree fully with alchemistx4, the size superiority of the Argentinian back four and especially their central defenders completely dominated the attacking duo of Vela and Gio D. Santos, although both players must be applauded for their relentless efforts. The changes that Ramirez applied in the second half with more attacking players instigating some offense could have proved fruitful if the final pass would have had any quality behind it, in the end, and yet again, timely mistakes and capitalization on those mistakes proved deciding.
This has little to do with Arg/Mex specifically, but when can we expect to hear rumors (if there are any) about some of the US U-20 players like Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore, etc going to Europe? There must be teams looking at them. Pato from Brazil is being mentioned all over. Are any of the US players getting attention?
Danny - The only limit is the speed that rumours can start. Unfortunately rumours feed on each other - Pato is a good example. You would have to believe that Pato has a pen ready waiting to sign for Chelsea when the truth is that even if Chelsea signed he could not play for them as it is very unlikly that he would qualify for a work permit. In the case of Adu the most recent rumour is that Celtic is interested but work permit issues again- as for Altidore I would think that playing with Angel in New York will help him without traveling to Europe in the next year.
good comments, mexico a little unfortunate, but all the credit to argentina who really really locked things down and just controlled the midfield and their defensive area as the game wore on.
argentina are the class of the remaining teams, chili will have to play a heck o####ame to get past them and unless complete absurdity takes over, a south american (no big surprise) team will win the tournament. again.
well not in terms of this article or whatever he was on about. Hes done it in the past over the whole Tevez thing. Just had enough of all these hacks giving #### to us. The top four clubs seem to be above the law. Liverpool play a reserve team against Fulham, guaranteeing their survival - not one thing was said. United are currently "tapping up" Tevez, but that is OK too.
Boghopper:
Just my tu’pence worth but I think you are way off target regarding our favorite hack Bobby’s “tirade” and the Tevez transfer debacle.
He has simply stated and repeated his opinions, and educated ones at that, and I think many of us agree with him.
Over the past year Tevez, West Ham and the delusional Mr. Joorabchian have all contrived and contributed to make this a rubbish statement about the so called business side of football. Somewhere along the heavily littered with horse apples trail the wishy-washy English F*** ####have also been complicit.
Given the latest from today’s BBC football web site I am guessing this so called tapping up and transfer is about to self implode and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are far reaching shrapnel injuries.
I for one am still amazed that Liverpool was able to conclude the Mascherano move without opening up a huge can of worms.
Now; can we please move on to something a little more important to real football fans?
Like David and Posh moving to Beverly Hills. LOL….
More mindless drivel from the true hacks on both sides of the Atlantic.
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