The only fitting way to set up today’s Mexico-Argentina elimination game is by digging up a highlight clip.
Or we could use this video:
Those are from the last two World Cups. In 2006, in the very same round these clubs meet today, Maxi Rodriguez crushed the Mexicans in overtime with one of the all-time goals in World Cup history. It was another bitter pill for El Tri and their fans to swallow. I say that because, rematch aside, I also started this post, by pointing out Mexico’s bitter 2-0 to the hated Yanks in the 2002 Round of 16. But, we could have just as easily with a little digging, found clips from their 2-1 loss to Germany in 1998. Or their painful loss to Bulgaria in the penalty kick phase in front of 70,000 fans, mostly paritsan El Tri supports, at the Meadowlands during the 1994 USA finals. El Tri had now made five straight Knockout Rounds, but in each of the previous four were eliminated in painful fashion right off the bat in the Round of 16. They have become the Buffalo Bills of World Cup group stage: always advancing out of it, but losing in their first big game. Conventional wisdom says it wont get any better today with the heavily favorited Argentina squad on the other side of the pitch. Will today be another chance for Diego Maradona to tell the world soccer punidtry class Sigue Chupando. Or, will he and his team fail to deliver, giving the chattering class the ammo they’ve seeked all along in their pursuit to bury the outspoken and wild coach?
Argentina has a lot of current star power with Messi, Tevez and Haguin. Mexico has a lot of future star power with dos Santos, Vela and Hernandez. That’s probably the difference today, the combination of Argentina’s quality and experience. But, I still expect Mexico to give a strong run at this. This will be more competitive than the Germany/England game. This is a better team than the 2006 team, perhaps better than any other version of El Tri that has fallen during this Round of 16 jinx. I just like the way they’re playing. They were steeled in Group A play, and they will be the hardest team Argentina will have played so far. I think Argentina has a bit of a weakness in spots on their midfield and the counterattacking Mexicans can take advantage of that. Carlos Salcido, quieted by Uruguay’s defensive effort in the final leg of group play, will be closer to the force he was against France. I think El Tri does no worse than extend the game past regulation. I’m biting on Draw at +280.
Quick note: what’s interesting about the odds is how they have shifted. Argentina had been priced as high as -250 while Mexico paying out at 6/1 just 24 hours ago. Now? Argentina’s price is all the way down to -166 and Mexico pays out just +450. The Draw had fallen from +320 to +280. A lot of late money pouring in on El Tri. I wonder if that will keep going as we still have two hours until kickoff.
Enjoy the game. I really think it will be a fun one.
