Argentina in Final After Penalty Drama

Inter Milan midfielder Cambiasso came up with the winner after Mexico defender Ricardo Osorio's effort was saved by Argentina keeper German Lux.

This ill-tempered semi-final had to be decided by spot kicks after the sides were deadlocked at 1-1, Carlos Salcido putting Mexico ahead in the 14th minute of extra time, with Luciano Figueroa leveling six minutes later.

The game was scarred by the first red cards of the competition, with Argentina's Javier Saviola sent off in the 90th minute and Mexico's Rafael Marquez following him off the pitch in injury time.

Mexico, missing defender Aaron Galindo and midfielder Salvador Carmona, who were sent home in disgrace on Tuesday after testing positive for the banned steroid nandrolene, welcomed back Marquez. But the Barcelona star's first major imprint on the game was not a positive one -- a cynical tackle on Javier Saviola in the 21st minute securing him his first yellow card.

The first half was evenly balanced as stoic work by both sets of defenses meant goal scoring opportunities were thin on the ground.

Chances few and far between

Argentina had to wait until one minute before the break for their best chance when only Mexico midfielder Gonzalo Pineda's quick reflexes denied Juan Sorin's close range shot into an open goal. Mexico had earlier come close to breaking the midfield deadlock with Argentina keeper German Lux only able to deflect Sinha's shot behind his line for a corner.

On 36 minutes Ramon Morales was brought down in the box but Italian referee Roberto Rosetti brushed aside Mexico's claims for a penalty, much to the chagrin of coach Ricardo La Volpe, looking as cool as anything in jeans on the bench.

Argentina, wearing black armbands in memory of a young goalkeeper who died on Saturday, started the second half brightly with Luciano Figueroa putting a purposeful header over Oswaldo Sanchez' bar.

Woodwork denies Mexico

Up at the other end Sinha, with his right hand bandaged, unleashed a shot from just outside the box which, with Lux beaten, rocketed off the right post. The Brazilian-born midfielder has excelled in this competition. What he makes up for in stature- - he was the shortest player on the pitch -- he more than makes up for in ability.

Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez is another who has caught the eye this month in Germany, and he produced a great save to keep out Argentina defender Fabricio Colocchini's 58th minute effort. The mop-haired Deportivo La Coruna defender was then booked in the 69th minute after a thuggish challenge on Morales, who had to be stretchered off in evident distress.

Players see red as frustrations boil over

The ill-tempered game then took on a reddish hue with Saviola first to feel Rosetti's wrath when he lashed out at Gonzalo Pineda -- the Monaco player misses Wednesday's final.

Marquez was sent packing when he picked up his second yellow for a nasty challenge on Pablo Aimar.

In the 14th minute of extra time Salcido's deflected shot from the left hopped over Lux and into the back of the net.

But Figueroa leveled with his fourth goal of the competition, juggling the ball on his heel before shooting under Sanchez from point blank range, to leave penalties the only answer with Cambriasso holding his nerve to end Mexico's 21 match unbeaten run.