Lionel Messi and Argentina put on another world class display in a 2–0 win in Polokwane over Greece, taking top spot in Group B with a perfect 3–0–0 record.
The Argentines will be joined in the round of 16 by South Korea who drew 2–2 with Nigeria in Durban. Argentina will face Mexico on Sunday, while South Korea takes on Uruguay on Saturday.
Argentine coach Diego Maradona made seven changes to the starting lineup that beat South Korea last Thursday. But he left his captain Lionel Messi in the lineup and the Barcelona star had another spectacular game, although he didn’t score.
Greece needed to win or draw and hope Nigeria defeated South Korea. It seemed Greece was content to hope for the latter as they barely attacked Argentina.
Lone striker Georgios Samaras was left to run after long balls and make it happen on his own. He nearly gave Greece the lead just after halftime after defender Martin Demichelis fell down, but his shot just missed the far post.
Greek goalkeeper Alexandros Tsorvas kept his team in the game with several terrific saves against the likes of Messi, Juan Veron, and even Mario Bolatti point blank off a corner kick.
Demichelis put Argentina on the board in the 77th minute when he slammed home a loose ball that had deflected off Diego Milito’s arm.
Argentina sealed the deal in the 89th minute when 36-year-old striker Martin Palermo converted a rebound off a Messi shot. Just three minutes prior, Messi made a wonderful move that culminated in a hard shot off the post.
In Durban, Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu missed an open net from no more than two yards out. The miss of the tournament cost Nigeria a spot in the round of 16.
The Argentines will be joined in the round of 16 by South Korea who drew 2–2 with Nigeria in Durban. Argentina will face Mexico on Sunday, while South Korea takes on Uruguay on Saturday.
Argentine coach Diego Maradona made seven changes to the starting lineup that beat South Korea last Thursday. But he left his captain Lionel Messi in the lineup and the Barcelona star had another spectacular game, although he didn’t score.
Greece needed to win or draw and hope Nigeria defeated South Korea. It seemed Greece was content to hope for the latter as they barely attacked Argentina.
Lone striker Georgios Samaras was left to run after long balls and make it happen on his own. He nearly gave Greece the lead just after halftime after defender Martin Demichelis fell down, but his shot just missed the far post.
Greek goalkeeper Alexandros Tsorvas kept his team in the game with several terrific saves against the likes of Messi, Juan Veron, and even Mario Bolatti point blank off a corner kick.
Demichelis put Argentina on the board in the 77th minute when he slammed home a loose ball that had deflected off Diego Milito’s arm.
Argentina sealed the deal in the 89th minute when 36-year-old striker Martin Palermo converted a rebound off a Messi shot. Just three minutes prior, Messi made a wonderful move that culminated in a hard shot off the post.
In Durban, Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu missed an open net from no more than two yards out. The miss of the tournament cost Nigeria a spot in the round of 16.
