Carlos Tevez knew he was offside for his opening goal in Argentina's World Cup last-16 victory over Mexico and admitted it was "selfish" that he had not owned up to the fact.
The South Americans went ahead as Lionel Messi forced the ball goalwards and Tevez, who had initially been closed down by Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez, was ahead of the play and in an offside position when he provided the decisive touch.
"At first I thought the referee was saying that it was not a goal, then I saw the signal and I started (celebrating) and I was happy," Tevez said. "I know I was offside, I know it was selfish but as long as they say it was a goal it's OK for me and the team."
There were no question marks about Tevez's second goal - Argentina's third - in the second half as he drilled one in from long range in a 3-1 win which sets up a quarter-final clash with Germany in Cape Town.
The Manchester City forward insisted confidence was now high in the Argentina camp that they could secure a third world title to add to those won in 1978 and 1986.
He added: "The team is growing in every single game, in every game it is getting stronger and we can win and that is the important thing. We can win the World Cup."
Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez also hailed the performance, and told Press Association Sport: "It was a tough game but the national team of Argentina did a very good job, we scored three goals, we could have had more.
"Tevez was fantastic, so was the whole team, we have a very good group with incredible quality.
"We want to take on board all the experience of (coach) Diego Maradona. He won the World Cup (in 1986) and that is the experience we want to take from him.
"Germany is a very good team and it will be a very tough game, but if we want to be in the semi-final we have to win this game."
Source: PA
