Believe, believe you infidels in Argentina!

By John Cheeran
Believe, believe you infidels in Argentina.
Argentina are here to stay in the World Cup.
And, Germany better get ready for a bitter heartbreak in Berlin..
Diego Maradona’s worthy heirs proved they are made of champion stuff when they showed the exit doors to a rampaging Mexico after 120 minutes of thrill-a-second football in the 2006 World Cup.
The pre-quarterfinal between Argentina and Mexico was by far the best match this World Cup has witnessed. It was a clash between similar styles.
Mexico were fiery in their forays in the first half and that rattled Argentina to begin with. A goal in their favour in the fourth minute only added to the Mexican resolve to pull off an upset.
One big factor that helped Mexico yesterday in Leipzig was that they were the underdogs before the match began. They were not expected to win this match against their illustrious opponents and twice champions Argentina.
All that changed when the match began.
But to coach Jose Pekerman’s credit Argentina players never lost their cool. Riquelme and his mates played their usual game without any hint of panic that resulted in a speedy equalizer in the 12th minute off a corner kick from Riquelme that bounced off a Mexican defender and Hernan Crespo’s outstretched feet.
The second half was dominated by Argentina and they were denied a classy goal in the last minutes of full-time.
In stoppage time, Argentina's three substitutes combined for Lionel Messi to tap the ball into the net, only for the referee's assistant to raise his flag for offside, wrongly.
As the extra-time began it was pretty much evident that only Argentina can win this match.
Then came that wonder goal in the 98th minute from the boots Maxi Rodriguez who blasted a volley from the right edge of the Mexican penalty box and the ball landed in the left-most corner of the net.
It was an extra ordinary goal in an extra ordinary match.
And no doubt this Argentina team will be better off for this cliffhanger against their Latin rivals. There could not be a better preparation for Crespo, Saviola, Sorin and Messi as they get ready to slay Germany in quarterfinals in Berlin.
All aspects of Argentine game were fully tested and if there were any doubts about their willingness to win this World Cup, none remains now.
Believe, believe you infidels in Argentina.