Argentina have beaten Mexico and booked a finals place against Brazil, after having taken Mexico to a penalty shoot-out in the second of the Semi-finals of the 2005 Confederations Cup Germany.

The game went into extra-time 0-0 after a very evenly matched 90 minutes. Mexico scored in the first half of extra time, only to give Argentina the impoetus to come back in the second half of the extra period, to take it to penalties.

After an edgy, end to end match, with chances for both sides, most notably Mexico in the first half, and Argentina taking over the mantle in the second half, the game was forced into extra time, with both teams rueing missed chances.

Argentina's Sorin had a lob cleared from the Mexican line, and along with Riquelme, and Saviola being notable for the Albiceleste.

Mexico had it's chances too, with Zinha, the Brazilian born Mexican showing some pace through the Argentinian defence, only to be cut short by the combined defensive forces of Coloccini and Sorin.

Surely though, the most prolific player on the pitch was Mexico's Borghetti, both target man and playmaker, who ran himself through the pitch for the sake of his country.

With the play becoming frantic towards the end of the match, inevitably tackles were flying in. This resulted in many cards, and, after 89 minutes a red card was shown to Saviola, for a silly tackle.

This should have brought the Mexican's down to Earth, with the knowledge that they would be in a far better position to win the game win the extra man for 30 minutes of extra time, but they blew their advantage when Gabriel Marquez brought down Pablo Aimar in the second minute of injury time, and earn himself his second yellow card, and a trip to the dressing rooms. Extra time...10 men apiece.

The deadlock was broken in the first half of extra time, with a beautifully executed Mexican break, Carlos Medina making a wonderful run through the Argentinian defence, and passing to Carlos Salcido for a shot which deflected badly off the Argentinian defender Coluccini to fly over goalkeeper Lux, and make it 1-0 Mexico.

Argentina then came out in the second period with an "attitude" for the first time in the match, and soon overpowered the Mexican defence, with their constant pressure. It was only a matter of time before they equalised. It toook a swathe of Argentinian shots, and eventually, a bundled shot by Figueroa after a goalmouth scramble, that toppled over the line to make it 1-1.

Both teams tried to finish it off within extra time, but to no avail. The game went to penalties.

The penalties were as evenly matched as the game, with neither goalkeeper touching the ball in the first 10 shots, which were all converted.

The penalties stood at 5-5 until Mexico's Osorio stepped up, only to place the ball perfectly at the Argentinians keeper Lux's height, and he saved. The only thing for the Argentinian Cambiasso to do, was to hit the target for Argentina to have a chance to go through to meet Brazil in the final, and he converted the penalty perfectly to take the Albiceleste to Frankfurt on Wednesday to meet their South American rivals.

Brazil will no doubt be more than eager to avenge their drubbing against Argentina earlier this year in the qualification for the FIFA World Cup Finals 2006, and will revel in the chance to level the results, if only for pride, oh...and a trophy.

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