Argentina ended the first half with a not so deserved reward as Maradona's boys neither showed their best nor what they had shown on previous stage group games. Carlos Tévez broke the tie on minute 26 after Messi played in for the Man City man, who was denied one-on-one by the goalie as the the ball broke back to Messi who keept his cool and lifted the ball towards Tévez who was allowed to head the ball in despite being in an offside position.
Six minutes later, Gonzalo Higuaín netted to establish the 2-0 lead. It only took six minutes in the second half for Tévez to blast a long distance drop-bomb to set things 3-0.
The Argentine team defeated Mexico 3-1 and reached the quarter finals in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. They will play Germany next.
Carlos Tévez scored two goals and Gonzalo Higuaín scored one, but the Argentine team's forward became the top scorer in this World Cup with his fourth goal so far.
After Mexico's game, Argentina has ten goals in their favour and just two against.
Two of the most attractive teams of the tournament faced off in the day's second knockout game, with Diego Maradona's men putting out their fellow Latin Americans for a second consecutive World Cup.
Argentina were one of only two nations to qualify from the group stages with a perfect record (Holland were the other), but while any errors were previously correctable, the gauntlet of knockout football means that Maradona's side could not allow their concentration to waver even for a second.
A 1-0 victory over Nigeria in their opener kicked the Argentines off before a strong victory over South Korea in their second game booked a place in the last 16. Top spot in Group B was secured as a team of fringe players defeated Greece 2-0 in their final pool game.
Despite qualifying with no way near the same comfort as the Argentines, the Mexican team certainly had enough firepower to worry Maradona's boys. With players such as Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Giovanni dos Santos and Carlos Vela providing pace, power and skill up front, Mexico had enough ability to test an Argentine defence which had so far appeared the flimsy heel of an immensely talented Achilles. For this reason it is the defence rather than the stellar attacking of the Argentine side which will come to the fore, for the first time this World Cup.
During last football practice, Maradona was not sure about Walter Samuel who had well recovered from a thigh injury but looked pretty doubtful on the training pitch. Thus, the coach played AS Roma centre full-back Nicolás Burdisso.
Moreover, the confident Argentina squad didn't need long memories to revisit their previous World Cup encounter with Mexico. Four years ago in Leipzig, Argentina defeated the North Americans 2-1 after extra-time, with a stunning strike from Maxi Rodríguez, who played right mid-fielder instead of Juan Sebastián Verón.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre cut a morose figure ahead of the last 16 World Cup clash with Argentina on Sunday, hitting out at "analysts" who say his team had no chance.
"I have no message for those that do not like me," he said inside Soccer City, wearing a peaked cap to cover his eyes and barely lifting his gaze to acknowledge the media room.
"I think what they have been writing lately in Mexico is not justified. We're working to change the course of history," he added in reference to Mexico's poor record at the World Cup.
The Latin Americans possess fervent support and have always had talented players but have only twice reached the quarter-finals, in 1970 and 1986 when they were hosts.
Faced with a red-hot Argentina, Aguirre's men are again likely to fall at their traditional stumbling block, the first knockout round where they have exited at the past four tournaments.
"Mexico are nobodies' favorite. We're way down in the betting," he mumbled.
"Analysts say we're dead and gone".
The only smile Aguirre afforded was when he was asked about Argentina coach Diego Maradona, whom the former Mexico international and Atletico Madrid coach knows well.
"He's a great friend. We used to see each other in Madrid and I will give him a big hug and congratulate him for what he has done so far at this World Cup".
Maradona famously led his country to World Cup glory in 1986 as captain, in contrast to Aguirre who was sent off in the quarter-final against West Germany.
Lineups:
Argentina: Romero; Otamendi, Burdisso, Demichelis, Heinze; M. Rodríguez, Mascherano, Di Maria; Messi; Tevez, Higuaín.
Mexico: Pérez; Osorio, Rodríguez, Moreno, Salcido; Juárez, Márquez, Torrado; G. Dos Santos, Blanco, Barrera.
Factbox:
Previous meetings:
19.07.30 Montevideo Argentina 6 Mexico 3
13.03.56 Mexico Mexico 0 Argentina 0
10.03.60 San Jose Mexico 2 Argentina 3
17.03.60 San Jose Mexico 0 Argentina 2
28.03.62 Buenos Aires Argentina 1 Mexico 0
22.08.67 Mexico City Mexico 2 Argentina 1
06.02.73 Mexico Mexico 2 Argentina 0
18.09.84 Monterrey Mexico 1 Argentina 1
25.10.84 Buenos Aires Argentina 1 Mexico 1
14.11.85 Los Angeles Mexico 1 Argentina 1
17.11.85 Puebla Mexico 1 Argentina 1
17.01.90 Los Angeles Mexico 2 Argentina 0
13.03.91 Buenos Aires Argentina 0 Mexico 0
20.06.93 Guayaquil Argentina 1 Mexico 1
04.07.93 Guayaquil Argentina 2 Mexico 1
10.02.99 Los Angeles Argentina 1 Mexico 0
09.06.99 Chicago Mexico 2 Argentina 2
20.12.00 Los Angeles Mexico 0 Argentina 2
04.02.03 Los Angeles Mexico 0 Argentina 1
10.07.04 Chiclayo Argentina 0 Mexico 1
09.03.05 Los Angeles Argentina 1 Mexico 1
26.06.05 Hanover Mexico 1 Argentina 1
(Argentina won 6-5 on penalties)
24.06.06 Leipzig Argentina 2 Mexico 1 AET
11.07.07 Puerto Ordaz Mexico 0 Argentina 3
04.06.08 San Diego Mexico 1 Argentina 4
