Argentina VS Mexico Johannesburg,Sunday 27 June, 20.30 (local time).

 Argentina-Mexico, Round of 16, Johannesburg, Sunday 27 June, 20.30 (local time)Argentina come into the last 16 on the crest of a wave, having swept all before them in Group B and ended up with three wins and nine points. Coach Maradona seems to have forged a sense of purpose and endeavour from a squad that had its difficulties in qualifying for South Africa 2010 and, with an in-form Lionel Messi in their ranks, they are hoping to book their place amongst the world’s top eight sides for the second FIFA World Cup in succession. El Diego will also enjoy the luxury of having a full-strength squad to choose from, free from injuries and suspensions.

For his part, Mexico boss Aguirre has already expressed his disquiet at having finished in second place in Group A, largely because his team has been inconsistent so far. A fine victory against 2006 runners-up France was the highpoint of El Tri’s group games, but it was sandwiched between a draw with hosts South Africa and a narrow defeat against Uruguay.

However revenge will be uppermost in Los Aztecas’ thoughts, not least because the current squad contains several survivors of that last, fateful meeting with Argentina including Rafael Marquez, who scored Mexico’s goal in Leipzig four years ago. The objective for Aguirre’s men is plain and simple: to get to that elusive “fifth game” at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament, and to book their place in the quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years.

History is on the side of Argentina; in fourteen matches against Mexico in the last 20 years, La Albiceleste have emerged victorious on seven occasions, with five draws and only two wins for El Tri.

Players to watchLionel Messi v Rafael MarquezThe Barcelona team-mates will meet once again as international rivals, as in 2006, when Mexican skipper Marquez opened the scoring and Messi came on as a late substitute with only a matter of minutes left in the game. The FIFA World Player of the Year 2009 is yet to notch his first goal in South Africa 2010, and La Pulga will be hoping to open his account in the knockout stages. Marquez, however, has continued his knack of scoring goals from his defensive midfield position, and scored his country’s first goal of the tournament in the Opening Match against South Africa.