Carlos Tevez is still in the running to become City’s first ever World Cup Golden Boot winner following his brace against Mexico yesterday.

The Argentine superstar bagged a goal in each half, with his second a stunning 20-yard howitzer that was undoubtedly one of the best so far seen in the tournament, though Tevez was typically understated after his side’s impressive 3-1 win.

"I needed a match like this to show that I am fine and ready to do the job for my country whose jersey I am proud of wearing,” he said.

"It's important to have reached the quarter-finals. The first couple of minutes were really difficult for us.

"We were not able to run the match and the Mexicans made life hard for us in the early stages. After that, it only got better. As for my goals? Well, I just want to be effective when I play.

Now we have to relax a little ahead of going up against the Germans in the quarter-finals, four years after losing to them at the last World Cup. We have to rest and be ready for that game

...Carlos Tevez

One thing Carlos wasn’t overly-enamoured with was his surprise withdrawal by Diego Maradona with still plenty of time left to complete his hat-trick.

“It is good to have won the Man of the Match award,” he said. “I am proud to wear the Argentina shirt and I was fighting and feeling well until I was brought off.

“I have no idea at all about why I was substituted from the match when I was still feeling good. I don't understand why it happened and I am not to blame when the team is not getting the ball so much.

"I really don't understand it.”