Greece line-up: Tzorvas, Moras, Tziolis, Samaras, Papadopoulos, Karagounis (c) (Spiropoulos, HT), Vyntra, Torosidis (Patsatzoglu, 55'), Kyrgiakos, Papastathopoulos, Katsouranis (Ninis, 54')
Argentina line-up: Romero, Demichelis, C.Rodriguez, Burdisso, Bolatti, Veron, Messi (c), Otamendi, Aguero (Pastore, 77'), Milito (Palermo, 80'), M.Rodriguez (Di Maria, 63')
Argentina made sure the world sat up and took note by claiming all nine points and winning their group with considerable ease. Greece needed to better South Korea's result but against Argentina that's more than a tough task. Despite Maradona fielding a somewhat weaker, if you can call it that, side Greece still were very much spectators of the opening exchanges with Argentina playing lovely interchanges with one another. Messi looked his dangerous self and the Greek defence were kept on their toes and needed to provide some very decent tackles. Greece were parking the proverbial bus and looking to beat Argentina route one style, trying to pick out Samaras who had a couple of chances but Demichelis put stop to any threat. Apart from these rare chances Argentina made sure Tzorvas earned his stripes and was made to sweat all night, but he managed to keep scores level at half-time.
The same pattern was repeated in the second half; Samaras given few chances and Tzorvas doing his up most best to keep Messi and Milito out. However his rearguard was broken just after the 75 minute mark when Demichelis latched onto Di Maria's corner and played an 'interesting one-two' off Milito's back before slotting home. Maradona provided a bigger celebration than anyone, proving he can still celebrate a goal. He was nearly able to celebrate again but Messi saw another shot thwarted, this time by the woodwork. But Argentina were to grab a second from substitute Palermo who sent a side-footed shot past Tzorvas for a very neat finish. Mexico await Argentina in the next round which Argentina should be favourites after they beat Mexico at this stage last World Cup, but Mexico will have something to say about that and maybe even a case for revenge.
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