The Argentina team celebrates after their second-round World Cup match against Mexico in Leipzig yesterday. - Reuters

LEIPZIG, Germany (AP):

MAXI RODRIGUEZ scored an incredible volley in the 98th minute yesterday to lead Argentina to a 2-1 extra-time win over Mexico and a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Rodriguez chested a cross-field pass from Juan Pablo Sorin and, before the ball hit the ground, hit a hard left-footed shot from the corner of the area into the far side of the net.

The two-time champion Argentines will face hosts Germany in the quarter-finals in Berlin on Friday. Germany beat Sweden 2-0 earlier in the day.

Rafael Marquez had put Mexico ahead in the sixth minute and Hernan Crespo equalised in the 10th, but the teams finished 90 minutes of regular time level at 1-1.

In the 90th, Argentina substitute Lionel Messi thought he had given Argentina the lead, but Pablo Aimar was ruled offside. Messi, who turned 19 yesterday, had replaced Javier Saviola in the 84th.

Marquez's goal had put Argentina behind for the first time in the tournament. Pavel Pardo sent in a free kick from the right side, which Mario Mendez headed across the goal mouth to a sliding Marquez, who knocked the ball over diving goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

Argentina equalised four minutes later. Juan Roman Riquelme curled in a corner from the right, which Crespo appeared to flick into the net.

BALL CONTROL MODE

Rodriguez's winning goal put Argentina into a ball control mode with Mexico struggling to stay alive. Although the Mexicans had a few chances, they generally didn't prove enough of a threat for Argentina's defence.

Argentina lost in the 1998 quarter-finals and were knocked out in the first round four years ago. This time the team has emerged as a favourite and topped its group.

Mexico lost in the second round for the fourth straight tournament. Mexico have never reached the semi-finals, and their last quarter-final appearance was as hosts in 1986.

Crespo's goal settled Argentina, with the game developing a pattern. Mexico, with their defence packed heavily, worked to score on the counterattack, with Argentina probing and trying to keep possession.

Crespo had another great chance in the 23rd, chipping the ball over Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, but wide. In the 25th, Borgetti, who was starting after sitting out two games with a thigh injury, sent a shot from 20 metres that Abbondanzieri leaped high to deflect over the crossbar.

BAD LUCK

Mexico had back luck in the 38th when Pavel Pardo, the team's dead-ball specialist, went off with a right thigh injury and was replaced by Gerarin the second half, but Borgetti was stopped close in by Abbondanzieri in the 54th.

Argentina had two clear chances to score early in the second half, but Sanchez came up with key saves each time. In the 57th, he tipped Rodriguez's shot over the bar. In the 60th, he stopped Javier Saviola's point-blank shot.

Mexico had another injury blow in the 64th when Andres Guardado limped off and was replaced a few minutes later by Gonzalo Pineda.

Argentina made their first substitution in the 76th minute with Carlos Tevez coming in for Crespo. A minute later, Aimar replaced Esteban Cambiasso.