Mexico will get the chance to erase a grudge nursed for four years when it meets Argentina in the World Cup second round on Sunday.
"I have a thorn in my side from four years ago and hopefully on Sunday we can take it out," said midfielder Rafael Marquez, who scored Mexico's solitary goal in that 2-1 defeat in 2006.
But the challenge looks formidable against Diego Maradona's attack-minded team, which everyone wants to avoid this time around.
And it's not just the prolific strikeforce of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez that the Mexicans will need to contain in Pretoria.
Playing in midfield will be that man Maxi, who'd settle for any winner on Sunday rather than a repeat of his 2006 wonder goal.
"I'll be happy if I can just tap it in," he said Friday. "What happened in that game is history now. The important thing is that the team wins and progresses."
The two teams have played each other 25 times, of which the Mexicans have only won four.
But Mexico, so shaky in qualifying, turned it on when it counted in South Africa, beating 2006 runner-up France 2-0 on the way to finishing second in Group A.
Argentina, unbeaten in its group and capable of scoring goals from all over the field, is expecting Javier Aguirre's team to be solid at the back and not take too many risks.
"Aguirre is a very intelligent coach," Maxi said Friday. "I don't think they'll come out attacking us right away. They'll almost certainly wait to hit us on the counter."
The Liverpool winger is expected to start the evening game at Soccer City after lining up alongside Maradona's first-choice players in training Friday.
"We'll have to wait until Diego names the team, but if he chooses me I hope I perform well," said Maxi.
Also expected to make a welcome return is center back Walter Samuel who was injured in the 4-1 win over South Korea. In his absence against Greece, the Argentines looked vulnerable at the back.
Marquez said the Mexicans are not daunted by the prospect of Barcelona forward Messi, who has lit up the tournament but has yet to score himself.
Arsenal forward Carlos Vela could make a comeback after injury for Mexico to play alongside Giovanni Dos Santos who has stood out at this World Cup with his pace and guile.
"We are better than that (2006) Mexico team, which didn't have so many players in European teams," Marquez said. "(Argentina) has the best player in the world, Leo Messi, and that makes them more complete. But we will try to change all that."
Such is Argentina's strength in depth that Diego Milito, who scored twice in the European Champions League final, will again have to settle for a place on the bench.
The winner of Sunday's match will play either England or Germany in the quarterfinals.
