Carlitos Come Alive With Two Goals Against El Tri

Argentina is never far from controversy. The Albiceleste are often times soap-operatic with a hint of dramatism thrown in. As if not willing to be outdone by England's unfortunate "Wembley Goal", Argentina created their own talking point in the last 16 match against Mexico.

Once again, the referee and linesman decisions threatened to overshadow a potentially excellent match. Prior to that fateful offside goal, El Tri had rattled the Argentinians. Marauding fullback, Carlos Salcido unleashed a long-range shot which Romero did well to tip it onto his crossbar. Gio dos Santos was doing his best impression of Lionel Messi in the earlier minutes. Gio's through ball after some fine running, allowed Javier Hernandez a chance to flash his shot just wide of Romero's goal. Highly rated Andres Guardado was stunning in the first half, as he tried to find a way through the Argentinian midfield and defence.

All the Mexicans' good work and lively football fell apart as Carlos Tevez headed home a goal that was so offside that only Roberto Rosettie and Stefano Ayroldi can explain why the goal stood. That controversy completely knocked the wind out of Mexico's sails and they never recovered. Worse yet, El Tri conceded a poor goal which the predatory Higuain gleefully accepted and rolled it into the Mexican net. Those two pivotal moments killed off any Mexican hopes of upsetting the mighty Argentina.

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Group A Decided! La Celeste and El Tri Advance

Group A was decided today. I try to unravel the action in two halves, highlighting the differences in attitude and excitement in both Uruguay-Mexico and France-South Africa.

La Celeste and El Tri need a draw for both to progress. France need a big win and hope that Uruguay win by two goals. Finally South Africa need three points, three goals and hope Mexico loses by two goals.

Action from the first half:

Luis Suarez made amends for a 5th minute miss by heading home a 43rd minute cross by Cavani. Mexico and Uruguay fought out an unexpectedly open first half with both teams having chances to score in this match. El Tri seemed to have the upper hand but always looked susceptible to the counter attack. Uruguay took their chance well and Luis Suarez further enhanced his reputation as a lethal striker. Uruguay on course for the top of Group A, possibly avoiding Argentina in the process.

Raymond Domenech said that a miracle is needed to advance. Les Bleus got off to the worst possible start, going a goal down and then having Yoann Gourcuff sent off within the first 25 minutes. South Africa clearly refused to accept that they are on the verge of going out in the group stage. Bafana Bafana need to win, score three goals and hope that Uruguay beats Mexico. Mphela got South Africa's second goal which meant that Group A is perfectly poised for more drama. Tshabalala was outstanding for South Africa as they played with a lot more attacking intent.

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Mexico Substitutes Shoot Down Awful French World Cup Hopes

I guess after yesterday's match, there is no longer any denial that the French team is poor. Talks about Yoann Gourcuff being a recluse with only one true friend in Toulalan implies that there are player divide within the French team. For the talent that they have in Ribery, Gourcuff, Evra, Gallas, Anelka, Malouda, it is very hard to find reasons why they are underperforming in South Africa. There can only be one reason - a lack of team spirit and determination. Oh, and a bungling Domenech.

Lest we forget, France stumbled into South Africa. They were unconvincing against Republic of Ireland but they were still expected to regroup and come out stronger. After all, Argentina regrouped and now their football is on a different level in this World Cup but France have indeed regressed.

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South Africa's Tshabalala Stunner Not Enough For Win

Siphiwe Tshabalala unstoppable left foot shot into the top corner of Mexico's goal was not enough to give the Bafana Bafana three points. Rafa Marquez cool finish ensured that Mexico's late push for an equalizer would be rewarded. South Africa started nervously against Mexico at the Soccer City Stadium but eventually got a grip in midfield and that allowed the hosts to gain control of the match.

Some very nice interchange of passes in midfield and a through ball allowed Siphiwe Tshabalala to break clear of the Mexican defence. The desired effect of the Jabulani ball took over and Mexico's Oscar Perez had no chance in saving that.

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2010 World Cup Group A Head To Head

South Africa and Mexico kick off the 2010 World Cup over in Africa this Friday 11th June. The first match from Group A will be much anticipated, simply to signify a full month of football mania. France and Uruguay round up the first day's match schedules.

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CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009 Group C: Panama 4-0 Nicaragua and Mexico 2-0 Guadeloupe

Panama demolish Nicaragua to book last quarter-final spot

GLENDALE (Arizona): Panama booked the last spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals against the United States with a 4-0 victory over Nicaragua in Group C on Sunday.

Mexico take top spot in the group after a 2-0 win over a Guadeloupe side who ended the game with nine men. The Mexicans will face Haiti in the last eight.

Both teams went into the game having already qualified and only top spot in the group at stake – Guadeloupe finish second and will face Costa Rica in the quarter-finals.

The other game in the last eight of the tournament for North and Central America and the Caribbean features Canada against Honduras.

Panama, the Central America champions, had no trouble against a Nicaragua side who had to play the entire second half down to 10 men after Franklin Lopez was sent off for kicking Gabriel Gomez just before the break.

Panama were 1-0 up at the interval after Blas Perez slotted home in the 35th minute after some poor Nicaraguan defending.

Gabriel Gomez made it 2-0 in the 56th minute before Luis Tejada scored twice to complete the rout.

In the late game, Mexico took the lead through a superb strike from Gerardo Torrado three minutes before the break, the midfielder taking the ball down on his thigh before blasting home from more than 20m out.

Guadeloupe, who do not feature in World Cup competition as they are not a member of FIFA, went down to 10 men after Alain Vertot was sent off for a second yellow card in the 72nd minute.

Ludovic Gotin was dismissed shortly after for a studs-up challenge.

Miguel Sabah thundered in a header from a corner five minutes from the end to ensure victory for the Mexicans, who were without the leadership of manager Javier Aguirre.

Aguirre clashed with Panama midfielder Ricardo Phillips in their 1-1 draw on July 9 and was given a three-match suspension. — Reuters as taken from The Star Online.

Here are video highlights of both matches.

Panama vs. Nicaragua shared from Free Soccer Highlights

Mexico vs. Guadeloupe shared from Soccer Mania

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009 Group C: Nicaragua 0-2 Guadeloupe and Mexico 1-1 Panama

Reuters has this to report on the Group C Gold Cup 2009 matches...

HOUSTON, July 10 — Mexico were held to a 1-1 draw by Panama in an ill-tempered Gold Cup game yesterday, in which three players and the Mexican coach were sent off.

Guadeloupe beat Nicaragua 2-0 in the other Group C match to move top of the pool on a maximum six points from two games, two ahead of a disappointing Mexican side, who failed to build on Miguel Sabah's ninth-minute goal.

Panama responded well to the early setback and after forcing Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa into making a couple of good saves, Blas Perez equalised from a freekick in the 28th minute.

El Tri celebrates their goal and Blas Perez equalises for Panama - Images from Reuters

The match then descended into a volatile encounter with the first two dismissals coming on the stroke of halftime when Panama's Armando Gun received a straight red for wrestling Giovani Dos Santos to the ground.

Fan fighting, cynical fouls, missiles and player altercation - Images from Associated Press

He was joined by Mexico's Luis Miguel Noriega, who was given his marching orders for his reaction to the challenge on his team mate.

In the 80th minute, Panama midfielder Ricardo Phillips and Mexico coach Javier Aguirre were also ejected after they became involved in a confrontation on the touchline.

Phillips initially refused to leave the pitch and protested the decision for more than five minutes before he was eventually persuaded to accept the red card, the delay leading to 10 minutes of added time at the end of the contest.

In the other match, Stephane Auvray and Ludovic Gotin scored second-half goals two minutes apart to send Guadeloupe top of the pool with a comfortable win over Nicaragua.

Guadeloupe's Gutin celebrates Auvray's goal - Image from Associated Press

Guadeloupe and Mexico meet on Sunday to determine who will win Group C, while Panama (1 point) face off against Nicaragua (0 points).

The top two teams from each of the three groups and the two best third-place finishers advance to the quarter-finals of the 12-nation tournament.

CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009 Group C: Mexico 2-0 Nicaragua

OAKLAND (California): Four-time Gold Cup winners Mexico, who like the United States, are fielding a largely second string squad in the competition, went ahead on the stroke of half-time through a Luis Noriega penalty.

The spot-kick was hotly contested by the Nicaraguans who argued there was no contact when Solorzano David challenged Jose Martino Salez.

Mexico struggled to turn their possession against the dogged Nicaraguans into real chances but five minutes from the end Pablo Barrera side-footed home an Alberto Medina cross to secure the victory.

This report is shared from The Star Online.

These goal videos are shared from Free Soccer Highlights. More exciting soccer videos over at this site!