World Cup 2010: Argentina outclass Greece 2-0

Maradona’s Argentina cruised into the knock-outs after a dominating display against Greece

Diego Maradona’s Argentina were favourites to top their group after Tuesday’s clash against Greece. They did exactly that, producing gritty determination and terrific football to outclass the Greeks 2-0, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Delivering yet another surprise, Maradona made seven changes to the side. Messi was made captain in the absence of Mascherano. Aguero and Milito started to team up with the Barcelona star to make a stunning attacking unit. Veron returned to bolster the midfield while Samuel and Heinze both were not risked and were missing from the defensive line. The game was a crucial tie as despite having won both their opening fixtures, Argentina were still unsure of their qualification to the knock-outs.

Unsurprisingly, Argentina dominated the game early and if the opening minutes were something to go by, Greece would have realized it would be a difficult and testing night for them.

The domination on the pitch could have been taken to the score-sheet in the 17th minute, when Aguero displayed some delightful skill to spin his marker and force a vital save from the Greece shot stopper. Veron was next to try his luck as he struck an absolute belter only for the ball to be palmed away by the keeper.

Greece continued to struggle against Argentina’s pace as Katsouranis picked up a yellow for a pull-back on Aguero – a clear sacrifice for the team.

Argentina tried to break through the Greek defensive wall with a flurry of attacks minutes before half time, but failed to convert.

Looking at the way the Greeks played out the first half it reminded one of Euro 2004, where they went on to win the tournament with similar tactics of stifling much better opponents and giving their all on the odd break.

Argentina needed to be wary at the start of the second half… though I seriously doubt Maradona has that word in his dictionary.

The second period got underway with both sides gunning for first blood. It was Greece who would get the first chance, as Samaras burst through with another run in the 47th minute, only to shoot the ball wide of the far post – possibly the best chance of the game.

Knowing a win for South Korea against Nigeria would have meant game over for them, Greece decided to take their chances.

Changes were made in quick succession as Ninis and Patsatzoglou came on for Torosidis and Katsouranis.

Argentina continued with their struggle to find a way through as Messi tried to escape the attention of his marker with a typically clever run. But, another lost ball, another frustrating possession for Maradona’s men.

El Nino finally got a chance to stamp his supremacy on the game in the 68th minute, however, his terrific free kick from quite a distance was dismissed by the diving Greek keeper.

The next few minutes of the game saw some lovely Argentina build-ups that finally resulted in a 1-0 lead in the 77th minute as Demichelis slammed in the ball from a corner to break the Greek resistance.

The goal sent the Argentine supporters into ruptures, but the night continued to be a frustrating one for Messi. TheArgentine sensation came agonizingly close to netting his first of the tournament in the 85th when he struck an almost perfect shot past the keeper only to watch it come back off the inside of the post.

Four minutes later Messi fired in another, this time, the Jabulani bounced back off the keeper and went straight to Palermo who had little trouble in sending it to the back of the net. Argentina 2-0 Greece.

With the win, Messi and Co. finish top of their group with nine points from three games.