The 2006 World Cup in Germany
A booksmusicfilmstv.com surreal take on the footie fest in Germany
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An enthralling game was finally settled in extra time by a sublime goal from Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez.

Mexico had started the game brightly, with a flicked header from Jared Borgetti just being deflected over. Then a free kick, taken by Pavel Pardo, saw a headed flick on by Mario Mendez fall to Mexican skipper Rafael Marquez, who, stealing in, slid home. Argentina came back strongly, and from a fine Juan Riquelme corner, Borgetti headed into his own net, under pressure from Hernan Crespo. The Chelsea striker then had a good chance to put Argentina ahead, when one on one with onrushing Mexican 'keeper Oswaldo Sanchez, but flicked the ball over him and wide. Borgetti then brought out a good save at the other end from Roberto Abbondanzieri. Manchester United's Gabriel Heinze should have been sent off, just before half time, for a late challenge on Mexico's Jose Fonseca, when Heinze was the last defender.

The second half saw Abbondanzieri make a smart save, after Borgetti's shot rebounded off Argentinian defender Juan Sorin. Argentina then came close to taking the lead, when Riquelme found Javier Saviola, whose close range shot was well saved by Sanchez. A marginal offside decision saw a goal by Argentinian substitute Lionel Messi ruled out right at the end of normal time.

In the first extra time period of these World Cup finals, Mexico came close when sub Zinha shot just wide, before Rodriguez took a ball on his chest, and, as the ball dropped, unleashed a left foot volley of stunning power into the top right hand corner of the Mexican net. So it's goodbye to the charismatic Mexican coach, Ricardo La Volpe, and a fine Mexico side, who once agian seemed to run out of luck at the knockout stage. Argentina's form has dipped, and maybe it's time to play Messi and Carlos Tevez from the start.

- Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.