GELSENKIRCHEN - Argentina put on the best display of attacking soccer in the World Cup so far, demolishing Serbia & Montenegro 6-0 on Friday with a performance that had the stamp of potential champions.
Also on Friday, the Netherlands withstood a late onslaught for a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, which ensures both the Argentines and the Dutch will qualify from Group C for the knockout stage of the world's most-watched sporting event.
The Dutch will play Argentina on June 21 to determine who wins the group. Hosts Germany, England and Ecuador have also already secured spots in the next round with a game to spare.
Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez put Argentina ahead after six minutes, rifling home from inside the penalty area after a nimble run by diminutive striker Javier Saviola.
Substitute Esteban Cambiasso netted 25 minutes later, latching on to a back heel from Hernan Crespo to round off a brilliant flowing move involving 24 passes that is sure to be replayed on television for years.
Rodriguez notched his second four minutes before halftime, and Crespo, Carlos Tevez and 18-year-old prodigy Lionel Messi all found the back of the Serb net in the second half.
"It is an honor to play with so many great players," Tevez said. "When the team pulls together like that you get results."
Mexico play Angola in Hanover in the day's final match, a Group D clash.
Underscoring the quality that runs right through the Argentina side, playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, who failed to score a goal but masterfully distributed from midfield, was named FIFA Man of the Match.
Argentina's victory in Gelsenkirchen, cheered by former great Diego Maradona, came against a Serbia & Montenegro team that conceded only one goal to the Dutch on Sunday.
Coach Jose Pekerman's team showed the class needed to snare a third world title after wins in 1978 and 1986.
Serbia & Montenegro, who like the Ivorians will leave the tournament after the first round, hailed their conquerors.
"I can only say congratulations," said coach Ilija Petkovic. "Future generations will speak about this result."
The Dutch, another of the pre-tournament favorites, were far less convincing in their win over Ivory Coast in Stuttgart.
Robin van Persie gave them the lead with an unstoppable free kick and Ruud van Nistelrooy added a second after receiving a neat reverse pass from Arjen Robben.
But the West African side struck back before halftime through Bakary Kone, who raced diagonally toward goal before clipping a rising shot past Edwin Van der Sar.
Ivory Coast applied heavy pressure in the closing minutes of the match but were unable to get past the Dutch defense.
"We played well up until we were leading 2-0, then we lost it," Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel told reporters.
"We played badly but...we have to learn from it. Ivory Coast were strong opponents. They were always dangerous."
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