Preview: Argentina – Mexico

(GSM) – With memories still vivid of Maxi Rodríguez’s extra-time winner in 2006, Mexico have revenge on the brain when they take on Argentina in yet another Round of 16 game on Sunday at Soccer City.

Maxi’s volley from the edge of the area beat Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16 in Germany, and Mexico coach Javier Aguirre will be determined not to allow that to happen again.

The task will be tough for El Tri as Argentina have scored the joint most goals in the tournament with seven in the group stage. Perhaps more impressive is that none of the goals have been scored by Lionel Messi.

Argentina won Group B with maximum points from wins over Nigeria, Korea Republic and Greece, and Mexico were Group A runners-up to Uruguay.

After making a host of changes for the win over Greece, Argentina coach Diego Maradona will likely draft in the side that beat Korea Republic 4-1, with Nicolás Otamendi likely to start in place of Jonas Gutiérrez.

Mexico, meanwhile, will enjoy the return of Carlos Vela after the Arsenal man missed the loss to Uruguay with an injury. It is unclear, however, if Aguirre will restrict Vela to substitute’s duty.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco could get a start in the place of him or Guillermo Franco.