HERZOGENAURACH, Germany -- Argentina has been special in this World Cup.

It will have to be even better to beat host and three-time champion Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals.

"Against Germany, we have to win -- however we can," Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin said Sunday. "We're playing a contender to win it, and all of the fans will be against us."

The glow of Saturday's 2-1 extra-time victory over Mexico faded fast.

"Let's hope we can surprise them with the experience of having played more important games in the last several years," said Sorin, referring to the fact that Germany did not have to play qualifying games for the World Cup.

Saturday's victory against Mexico was so tight that even Diego Maradona sat uncomfortably through much of the game, nervously rocking back and forth with his hands on his knees.

The game was decided in the 98th minute by Maxi Rodriguez's split-second of inspiration on the corner of the penalty area.

Controlling Sorin's 30-meter (yard) crossfield pass on his chest, Rodriguez struck it with his left foot before it hit the ground and sent it over stunned Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez.

"I had not decided to shoot it, but the ball fell right in front of me," Rodriguez said. "It's one of those shots that can go into the stands or in the goal.

"Truly, it's incredible, a beautiful goal."

Often overshadowed by Argentina's host of talented strikers, the 25-year-old midfielder upstaged striker Lionel Messi and midfield playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, who each celebrated birthdays on Saturday.

FC Barcelona star Messi turned 19 and Riquelme, who plays for Spain's Villarreal, was 28.

"I think that goal relaxed us for the final minutes," said Rodriguez, who plays for Atletico Madrid.

After a humiliating ouster in South Korea and Japan four years ago, Argentina's quarterfinal appearance matches its 1998 World Cup effort, where it lost to the Netherlands 2-1 in the final eight.

The classic with Germany matches two teams who have fought two finals in the last 20 years. In 1986, Argentina won 3-2 with Maradona as captain to pick up its last of two titles. In 1990, the Germans prevailed 1-0 to give the country its third title.

Like Germany with Juergen Klinsmann, part of Argentina's resurgence is due to 56-year-old Pekerman.

Quiet and cautious, the former taxi driver and journeyman midfielder took over almost two years ago after winning three world titles with Argentina youth teams. Of the 23 players this time, 17 played for him as youngsters.

"It's going to be a long-awaited game, because these are two of the great countries in World Cup history," Pekerman said of Friday's game in Berlin.

Saturday's game was Mexico's fourth straight in the second round -- and its fourth straight loss. But this one didn't hurt quite as much as the 2-0 ouster by the United States four years ago. Instead, there was grudging admiration for the way Argentina won it.

"The winner is the one who scores the goal," Mexico defender Rafael Marquez said, blaming Swiss referee Massimo Busacca for some of his team's problems. "Mexico was pushing for a goal, but that great shot eliminated us."

High in the stands, a forlorn banner suggested what might have been.

It read: "Mexico, you can."

The game was only the second matchup in the World Cup for the two Latin American powers, and much closer than Argentina's 6-3 win when they met in the inaugural tournament 76 years ago.

Though Argentina holds a big edge over Mexico in all games played, the three games before this were settled by one goal or a penalty-kick shootout. They each won one, and the other was a draw.

Marquez put Mexico ahead after only six minutes -- the first time Argentina has trailed in its four games. But Argentina equalized four minutes later. Riquelme curled in a corner from the right side, which Jared Borgetti appeared to head into his own goal as he lunged to beat Crespo to the ball. However, Crespo said he touched it.

"I touched it with the tip of my foot," he said. "What happened is it that it looked like he put it in with his head, but I'm the one who pushed it over. I'm sure."

Mexico also had some bad luck in the 38th when Pavel Pardo, the team's dead-ball specialist, went off with a right thigh injury. It also lost 19-year-old Andres Guardado to injury with only about 20 minutes left in regulation time.

Even Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe couldn't pull off the upset. Lavolpe was a backup goalkeeper on Argentina's 1978 World Cup winning team.

"There's no doubt that, worldwide, people now recognize the kind of soccer we play," said Lavolpe, whose future with the team is in doubt. "We played even with Argentina. We showed character and courage."