Argentina coach Jose Pekerman said his side deserved their extra-time winner in the 2-1 defeat of Mexico to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with Germany.

With the game evenly poised at 1-1, Maxi Rodriguez broke Mexico's hearts with a superb 98th minute volley to seal Argentina's passage to the last eight of the tournament.

"It was a very interesting and difficult match and it's because of that that it went to extra time," said Peckerman.

"Argentina were valid winners. The two teams know each other very well and that's why they cancel each other out."

Mexico captain Rafael Marquez paid tribute to Rodriguez's wonder strike, saying: "A great goal is what eliminated us.

"The team has worked very well all this time and played a good match today against a team that everyone thought would over run us."