Argentina goes into halftime up two against Mexico, and while they played better soccer over the first forty-five minutes, their two goals were gifts. The first gift came courtesy of the officials in the second controversial non-call of the day. The second gift came from Ricardo Osorio.
World Cup 2010, Argentina Vs. Mexico: Officiating, Basic Ball Control Errors Put El Tri Down Two At Halftime
In the 25th minute, Carlos Tévez headed home the opening goal though he was in an offside position. The chaos of a play that saw goalkeeper Óscar Pérez come far off his line to make a save on the Argentine may have contributed to the non-call, but when Lionel Messi’s played the ball that was headed-in by Tévez from four yards out, no players were between the forward and goal.
Eight minutes later, Efraín Juárez’s pass back to Ricardo Osorio was misplayed by the central defender. Osorio touched the ball toward the center of the pitch, allowing Gonzalo Higuaín to go in alone and beat Óscar Pérez for Argentina’s second goal.
Argentina would take that score into half time holding 56 percent of the half’s possession. The Albiceleste have suffered 13 fouls (while committing five), six of which have been incurred by Lionel Messi.
Central midfielder Rafa Marquez, starting in the same role he’s played throughout the tournament, was responsible for one of those fouls, earning Márquez the only card of the half.
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