Argentina held 0-0 by Mexico after 15 minutes of 2nd-round match at World Cup

Argentina held 0-0 by Mexico after 15 minutes

JOHANNESBURG — Mexico had the best early chances against Argentina but the score remained 0-0 after 15 minutes of their second-round match at the World Cup.

Carlos Salcido’s long-range effort in the eighth minute shook the crossbar, and Andres Guardado’s shot from outside the area went just wide of the left post a minute later.

Argentina struggled to find its rhythm offensively. Lionel Messi pushed forward in the eighth minute, but his shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Efrain Juarez. Messi then lobbed a shot from outside the area in the 12th, but it was easily handled by goalkeeper Oscar Perez.

The winner plays Germany in the quarterfinals.