Mexico – Argentina

Mexico: Oswaldo Sanchez, Salcido, Rafael Marquez, Osorio, Pardo, Borgetti, Morales, Pineda, Mendez, Lozano, Naelson. Subs: Munoz, Torrado, Rafael Lugo Marquez, Fonseca, Medina, Rodriguez, Perez, Corona, Bravo, Hugo Sanchez. Argentina: Lux, Sorin, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Heinze, Riquelme, Saviola, Milito, Coloccini, Santana, Figueroa. Subs: Franco, Tevez, Aimar, Delgado, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Placente, Bernardi, Maxi Rodriguez, Demichelis, Galletti, Caballero, Samuel.

Today's game has been dedicated to the memory of Marc-Viven Foe, who died during a Confederations Cup match two years ago today.

There is a great atmosphere inside the stadium as the match kicks off. The sun is out in Hannover and it's a very pleasant day. Perfect picnic weather.

A swift, decisive move from Argentina ends when a ball out to the right wing is over-hit by Saviola.

Argentina have been very impressive in the tournament so far, and they've started positively here this afternoon. They look very assured on the ball.

Pardo shows a nice touch on the ball out on the touchline. He has 114 caps for Mexico; where does he put them all?

Oooh! Borgetti holds the ball up well and finds Lozano on the edge of the area. His low shot is turned around the post by Lux. Corner.

Marquez heads over from the corner; he perhaps should have done better. But he didn't. He doesn't look overly concerned about the situation.

Sorin brings down Naelson with a cynical challenge. He really had no intention to get the ball from the little midfielder, and just stuck out a hairy leg to bring him down as he attempted to pass.

Oooh! Riquelme plays a superb reverse ball in to Saviola inside the area, but his cross in to the centre is a yard too long for Figueroa.

It's been a bright start to the game, much like yesterday's first semi-final between Germany and Brazil.

Sorin gets on the end of a long ball down the line, but his control lets him down. He was in a very advanced position, considering he's supposed to be playing left-back.

Sorin then floors Marquez as he kicks the Barcelona midfielder in the ankles. The Mexican coach is livid; he should calm down, before he injures himself.

The referee gets in the way of Marquez's pass out to Saviola. He holds his hands up by way of an apology.

Milito is booked for a poor challenge 35 yards out. The ball is clipped in to the middle, but an outstretched leg cuts out the danger.

A dreadful pass from Marquez ends a promising Mexico move.

Zanetti has very sensible hair. He looks like a bank manager.

Sorin, well forward once more, clips a dangerous ball in to the middle but it is over the head of Santana.

Oooh! Riquelme fires in a low shot from a long way out; it swerves and dips late, but Sanchez collects well.

There isn't a lot of width down Argentina's right side, meaning that most of the play is coming down a congested central channel.

Great play from Saviola as he cuts in between two defenders before laying off a ball to Sorin. His right-foot shot is woeful; sliced horribly wide. Very, very ugly.

The atmosphere has dropped a little; inevitable, I suppose, considering the match doesn't feature the hosts.

Figueroa wins a corner as he flicks the ball off his marker. Riquelme curls the ball in to the near post, but Mexico scramble it clear.

Borgetti makes a late run in to the area, but the pass from Pardo is too long and Lux collects easily. Mexico need to get players forward to support their lone front-man.

I'm told that Mexico are unbeaten in 21 matches. That's a good effort, considering they have played Brazil AND Argentina in that time. Probably also the likes of Panama and Guyana.

Marquez is booked for a late challenge on the edge of the area. Disappointingly, Riquelme fires the free-kick straight at the wall.

Oooh! Naelson, known to his mates as Zinha, fires a low shot goalwards, which Lux is forced to paw around the post. He reminded me a little of a Polar Bear trying to catch a fish.

Lux palms away the corner at the near post. He's being kept on his toes by Mexico, who look quite dangerous at times.

Sorin clears a good cross with a diving header, but Mexico keep the pressure on, Lozano leaping narrowly under another curling centre.

A great piece of control in midfield from Saviola wins a free-kick for Argentina as Pineda clips his ankles.

Who told Sorin his hair looked good like that of a 1980s heavy metal guitarist? It looks rubbish. He should be ashamed of himself.

Another set-piece causes some consternation in the Mexican box, though they do eventually hoof the ball clear. I think the sun might be troubling the players a little.

Lozano stoops to head high over the bar from Zinha's cross.

Colocinni is playing well at the back for Argentina; he's dominant in the air and is making some strong challenges to help keep Mexico at bay.

A sloppy pass from Cambiasso gifts possession to Marquez, but he drags his long-range shot a few yards wide of Lux's post.

Borgetti goes to ground holding his head as if he had been battered with a railway sleeper. In fact, he simply caught a stray arm from Coloccini.

Borgetti trudges off, still rubbing his head and frowning. I suggest he stops moaning at gets on with the game. Play-acting makes me very angry.

Morales is stopped in his tracks by Zanetti, ending a good Mexican break. There has been little sign of a goal so far this game.

Borgetti hurls himself to the ground inside the area as he challenged for a header with Zanetti. Mexico call for a penalty, the referee correctly declines.

Borgetti can't stay out of the game at the moment. He dives in on Heinze and gives away a free-kick. Heinze rolls around like a girl, Borgetti smiles and pleads innocence.

Sorin attempts to pull the ball back after he breaks in to the Mexican penalty area, but his cross rebounds off Saviola and out for a goal-kick.

I hope there will be a few tactical changes at half-time, because neither side has been able to get on top so far.

A disgraceful dive from Saviola has me salivating in anger. He flicks a high ball past the goalkeeper before throwing himself to the ground and demanding a spot-kick. The referee looks somewhat disgusted at the little playmaker.

Good play from Saviola as he darts past his marker and flicks a ball inside the penalty area to Figueroa. The tall, blonde striker is muscled off the ball, however, and the goalkeeper collects.

Oooh! Saviola wriggles past two defenders inside the penalty area, lays the ball to Sorin, who clips the ball over the rushing Sanchez, but Morales is back to clear off the line.

Borgetti is stopped in his tracks by a late off-side flag. A pity, because he was through on goal after making a run between Zanetti and Coloccini.

HALF-TIME: In truth, a very average half of football. Neither side offered a great deal going forward, and were prepared to get plenty men behind the ball when defending.

No changes at half-time. Hopefully both coaches will have told their charges to pull their fingers out in the second half.

An early free-kick goes to Mexico, Pardo going down under a challenge from Figueroa.

Sanchez bravely comes out of his goal to dive at the feet of Saviola as the little striker attempted to get on the end of a flicked pass. The goalkeeper is kicked in the chest for his trouble.

Oooh! Heinze curls a good ball in to the box, and Figueroa heads narrowly over the bar. Good effort from the striker.

Another booking, this time for Morales as he tugs on the shirt of Saviola. Free-kick, but Riquelme curls the shot over the bar from 25 yards out.

A good turn from Santana earns a free-kick when he is held by Pardo.

A low cross in to the box is turned behind by Mendez. The corner is easily dealt with by Sanchez, who collects the centre with confidence.

Pardo sweeps a good ball towards Borgetti, but Coloccini rises high to head clear.

Another Heinze cross causes a little concern in the Mexican box. Sorin almost manages to bring the ball under control, but Sanchez collects.

Argentina have certainly begun this second half the better, but Mexico are organised and determined at the back and are defending very well.

Oooh! Zinha cuts in from the right wing and cracks a left-foot shot against the post from the edge of the area. Great effort.

SUB: Lozano off, Perez on. Mexico make the first move as they attempt to grab the lead in this tight encounter.

The teams have done nothing to inspire the crowd here in Hannover, and subsequently the atmosphere is somewhere akin to that at a church service.

Santana clips the ball in from the right wing. His cross is deflected out for a corner. Riqeuelme trots over to take the set-piece. His forehead is furrowed.

Oooh! Coloccini has a header well saved low-down by Sanchez. The defender had found a little space from Riquelme's corner and did well to get his effort on target.

A sensational piece of skill from an unnamed Mexican defender sets up a counter-attack, though Borgetti's header is picked up by Cambiasso.

Perez has a shot blocked on the edge of the area by Heinze, who threw himself at the ball as if his life depended on it.

There has been little sign of a forthcoming goal, which is disheartening for all concerned. Extra-time and penalties loom large.

Santana cuts inside on to his left-foot and curls a cross in to the area, but it's too close to Sanchez. A poor effort, really.

Maxi Lopez is poised to come on for Argentina. He's a striker, which is encouraging.

Morales' cross is just too high for Borgetti at the back post. It was one of the first occasions that Mexico have got wide.

SUB: Milito off, Lopez on. A striker comes on for a defender; that's a good sign. Can he inspire his side? Let's hope so.

Marquez is almost playing as a third centre-back for Mexico; he drops so deep when Argentina have the ball. He needs to get forward a little more.

Morales nutmegs Santana, who fouls the midifielder as he tries to pass. Free-kick, 30 yards out, on the Mexico right...

...but Lozano's curling cross is too close to Lux, who claims the ball comfortably.

Coloccini barges straight in to Morales after losing control of the ball. He's booked, and quite rightly: it was an awful challenge that left the midfielder with a huge gash above his eye. He leaves the field on a stretcher.

Mexico prepare to make a substitution; Morales is in no state to come back on after being battered by Coloccini's sickening challenge.

SUB: Morales off, Medina on. Morales is upset at being substituted, despite the blood pouring down the side of his face.

Riquelme wastes a free-kick from a good position out on the Argentina left. Poor delivery from the Villarreal midfielder.

Figueroa and Sorin can't quite bring a high ball under control inside the Mexican penalty area, and eventually the Central Americans clear.

SUB: Aimar on, Santana off. Playmaker Aimar comes on to try and inspire Argentina in the final stages. He's a great little player. I like him.

Cambiasso brings down Perez 35 yards out. The free-kick is worked out to the left wing, Perez crosses and Lux is forced to make a terrific reflex save from Borgetti's header.

Aimar wastes an excellent chance when he blasts a shot high over the bar from the edge of the area. He had plenty time to pick his spot, but instead wildly shoots over.

Medina wins a corner when his low cross is deflected out by Zanetti.

Lux tips the corner away as it curled in towards his back post. Mexico then win a free-kick in a good position for handball.

Coloccini heads the set-piece out and Zanetti completes the clearance.

Sweet Valley High, this has been a dreadful second half. Really, really dull. Neither side has shown any inclination to get men forward to try and press for a winner. They have seemingly no ambition whatsoever, and it's made for a thoroughly tedious spectacle.

Medina breaks at pace down the left wing and crosses deep. It finds Zinha at the back post, but his low centre towards Borgetti is cut out.

Heinze holds his chest after he is trampled on by Mendez. He's a tough cookie though, and is soon back on his feet.

Saviola clips a good ball in to the middle but Mexico have plenty players back defending and they clear the danger. Rodriguez then has a shot blocked inside the area.

Mexico break very quickly, but Heinze does an excellent job of covering as he sweeps around from left-back to tackle Medina.

Rodriguez is floored right on the edge of the penalty area by Marquez. Free-kick on the corner of the area...

Sorin and Riquelme chat over the ball. Riquelme decides to take the responsibility, and procedes to curl the ball five yards over the bar. Woeful.

Saviola is red-carded for kicking out at Pineda. Stupid, rash, idiotic, though he trots off as though he hasn't a care in the world.

Borgetti thumps a header over the bar after a good cross from Medina. He got a good connection, but just couldn't get over the ball.

Perez wins a corner from Zanetti, who has defended very well all game.

Marquez is sent off for a second bookable offence after bringing down Aimar on an Argentinian break.

FULL-TIME: A terrible game of football will be extended by 30 minutes of extra-time.

We're off for another 30 minutes of 'action'.

Coloccini is being jeered every time he touches the ball. I can't think why. Perhaps the crowd don't like his hair.

Argentina enjoy a long spell of possession, but they do nothing with it.

Zanetti cracks a low shot from distance, but Sanchez is solidly behind the effort.

Borgetti brings the ball down well inside the Argentina area, but Heinze produces a superb last-ditch challenge to clear.

SUB: Zinha off, Torrado on. Zinha struck the post earlier in the match; that's the closest we've come to a goal. Torrado is a striker, I believe.

Argentina are having a lot of the ball, but are missing Saviola's verve and creativity. Aimar is a similar type of player, but hasn't had chance to get on the ball as yet.

Aimar leads a counter-attack, but Mexico quickly get back and snuff out any chance of getting a shot in on goal.

The game should really have opened up after the two sendings off, but it hasn't. Instead, Mexico are sitting back and getting everyone behind the ball, and Argentina are prepared to knock it about in front of them.

Aimar flings himself at a Rodriguez corner, but he was stretching and his header goes well over the bar.

Medina is booked for a combination of kicking the ball away and abusing the linesman after a free-kick decision went against him.

The referee looks like he should be selling time-share apartments in Spain; he's very oily and more than a little sleazy.

Zanetti wins a corner as he gets to the by-line and his cross is deflected behind.

GOAL! Mexico break at pace. Salcido cuts in from the left wing, and his attempted cross is turned in to his own goal by Coloccini.

Salcido is booked for taking his shirt off during his protracted celebrations.

HALF-TIME: Mexico take the lead. They have 15 minutes to hold on.

Oooh! Riquelme fires a low cross towards Figueroa, who contrives to stab his shot straight at the goalkeeper from five yards out.

Aimar's pass through to Sorin is overhit and runs out of play. Argentina look as though they're going to give it a real go in the final stages.

Lux gathers a low cross moments before Borgetti can get on the end of it as Mexico exploit some space in behind the Argentinian defence.

The German crowd seem to be favouring Mexico; the atmosphere has perked up since the goal.

GOAL! Figueroa scrambles the ball under the body of Sanchez from six yards out. Argentina are ecstatic.

The pace of the game has certainly picked up in the last five minutes or so; dare I say it, it's even become vaguely entertaining.

Aimar is brought down on the edge of the area, though the referee waves play on an Mexico break. Zanetti defends superbly and robs the ball back.

Aimar curls an excellent ball in to the middle, but Figueroa just can't get any power on his effort at the far post. Argentina are finishing the stronger.

Medina cuts in from the left wing, rolls the ball in to Borgetti, but his shot is blocked on the penalty spot.

SUB: Figueroa off, Galletti on. A striker for a striker, perhaps with the penalty shoot-out in mind.

Rodriguez is scythed down on the touchline by Medina. Free-kick, but no booking. Galletti has a chance to head goalwards from Rodriguez's deep cross, but he mis-judges the flight of the ball completely.

Heinze and Riquelme get in each other's way at the far post as they attempted to get on the end of Rodriguez's cross.

Mexico spread the ball out wide to Pineda, but Borgetti fails to read the centre in to the middle and Zanetti clears.

FULL-TIME: Penalties loom after a late flurry of action saw Figueroa equalise Mexico's goal just before the break in extra-time.

Aimar looks nervous as his coach wanders around his men attempting to find five penalty takers...

...Cambiasso attempts to give his goalkeeper some advice on which way to dive...

...The Mexico players gather in a huddle. It's a heart-warming scene. Several players receive treatment for cramp...

...Sanchez looks as though he's marching off to war as he wanders down towards the goal...

MEXICO 1-0 ARGENTINA: Perez blasts straight down the middle. He kisses a ring on his finger and looks relieved. Well done, sunshine.

MEXICO 1-1 ARGENTINA: Riquelme, a set-piece specialist, huffs and puffs his way up to the ball and tucks it low in to the corner. He looks grumpy as he walks back to the half-way line.

MEXICO 2-1 ARGENTINA: Pardo places the ball carefully. He takes a short run before clipping his penalty in to the top corner.

MEXICO 2-2 ARGENTINA: Rodriquez grimaces as he cooly chips the ball high in to the corner. He pumps his fist gently before taking the congratulations of his team-mates.

MEXICO 3-2 ARGENTINA: Borgetti side-foots to the keeper's right. He looks on the brink of tears, bless his cotton socks.

MEXICO 3-3 ARGENTINA: Aimar must have nerves of steel. He waits until the keeper dives before rolling the ball the other side. He collects the casually ball from the net.

MEXICO 4-3 ARGENTINA: Another excellent penalty, this time from Salcido.

MEXICO 4-4 ARGENTINA: Galletti blasts past Sanchez, who seems to be getting a little aggitated that he isn't getting near any of these spot-kicks.

MEXICO 5-4 ARGENTINA: Incredible nerves from Pineda, as he delicately lifts the ball over Lux. Very calm. He's a hero.

MEXICO 5-5 ARGENTINA: Sorin, veins pumping in his temples, blasts past Sanchez. He's happy, and shows it by puffing out his chest and roaring some indistinguishable words.

MEXICO 5-5 ARGENTINA: Osorio misses. Good save from Lux, though it was a poor penalty. He looks a broken man as he crawls back to the half-way line.

MEXICO 5-6 ARGENTINA: Cambiasso tucks his penalty inside the post to book Argentia's place in the final against Brazil on Wednesday.

So, there you go. Brazil v Argentina in the final. Join us here at Soccernet for live coverage. After all, what else have you got planned?