South American Showdown Awaits

Argentina will play bitter rivals Brazil in the final of the Confederations Cup after they defeated Mexico in a penalty shootout 6-5 following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

The Argentines were faultless from the spot converting all of their penalties and it took a miss from Ricardo Osorio to give them first opportunity to win the match, and Esteban Cambiasso duly obliged with a calmly struck effort to the keepers left.

The big pre-match news for the Mexicans was the return of Captain Rafael Marquez into midfield while for Argentina it was Liverpool target Gabriel Milito who replaced the suspended Walter Samuel in the heart of defence.

It was always going to be difficult for Mexico faced with such illustrious opposition but as early as the 4th minute the side which beat Brazil in the group stages showed they possess significant attacking ability as well, a Borgetti back heel finding Lozano who forced Lux into a smart early save.

Juan Roman Riquelme is considered to be one of the rising stars of world football and was as usual dictating play from the centre of the park, also possessing the confidence to attempt a long range strike which was easily dealt with by Sanchez.

Javier Saviola fresh from a year on loan with Monaco has plenty to prove to Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard and would've impressed with a mazy run which left three Mexican defenders stranded, only for his lay off to be completely wasted by the right foot of Captain Sorin.

Borgetti's drive led to an opportunity for Zinha but Lux parried the long range shot for a corner, and then unorthodoxly cleared the ensuing set piece.

The brightest first half attacking exponent was undoubtedly the diminutive Saviola and his dribbling ability set up the best chance of the half for Juan Sorin but the skipper's clipped shot was cleared off the line by Gonzalo Pineda after beating the goalkeeper.

Zinha provided the first explosive moment of the second half with an impressive run and an even better shot which struck the outside of the post with ferocity to the frustration of the Brazilian born midfielder.

Despite that isolated chance Argentina were certainly the better attacking side after the resumption of play and centre back Fabricio Coloccini tested Oswaldo Sanchez with a header but the keeper continued the vigorous defence of his outstanding record in this tournament.

Substitute Pablo Aimar didn't take long to exert an influence and after benefiting from a fortunate bounce he struck a fierce drive over the bar, with Figueroa perhaps the better option down the right.

Mexico then had their fans off their feet with a thrilling counter attack which almost led to a chance for Marquez, Argentina breathing a collective sigh of relief as Heinze and company managed to clear.

Riquelme had his own potentially match winning moment when he lined up a free-kick but the difficult angle proved too much even for the Villareal playmaker.

With time running down there was still another twist in the tale with an absolutely out of the blue dismissal for Javier Saviola following a late kick, and with only a few minutes to go Argentina were staring at the prospect of facing extra time with 10 men.

But amazingly deep into injury time Saviola's club mate Rafa Marquez evened the numerical stakes with a late challenge on Aimar near halfway, which produced a second yellow card and a subsequent red.

Javier Zanetti winning his 100th cap looked to open the scoring in extra time but as always Sanchez was proving infallible in the Mexican goal.

Aimar was becoming increasingly involved and flashed a header over following a corner but neither side were producing clear cut opportunities.

All that changed however 14 minutes into the first stanza of extra time as following an excellent run down the left it was Carlos Salcido who evaded the challenge of Gabriel Heinze before his curling shot deflected off Coloccini and past a despairing Lux to give Mexico what was seemingly a vital lead.

Argentina knew they had to score in the next 15 minutes of play and they seemed certain to do exactly that when Aimar's cross was helped on by Maxi but stunningly Figueroa couldn't convert from close range with the goal completely open.

Moments later though Riquelme chipped the ball into the penalty area and after finding its way through to Figueroa it was controlled brilliantly before the Villareal striker squeezed a low shot through the legs of Sanchez, and the ball crept over the line for a dramatic equalizer.

Figueroa had atoned for his earlier miss and had another half chance when Aimar drifted in a cross and despite the ball deflecting wide the momentum was clearly with the South Americans.

Manchester United fan favourite Gabi Heinze fired a long range effort over before connecting with a Rodriguez cross well but the Argentines couldn't forge ahead and the match was destined for penalties.

It proved to be an exhibition in penalty taking as all of the first ten penalties were faultlessly converted, but after Lux dived to his right to save from Osorio it was Cambiasso who became the hero with a well taken penalty which won the shoot-out 6-5.

The Confederations Cup final will now be contested between two of the biggest rivals in world football in Argentina and Brazil, and after recently defeating the world champions in World Cup qualifying the Argentines will be optimistic about returning to Buenos Aires with the trophy.

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