Day 2, Match 3

ARGENTINA WIN , BUT NOT EASILY

Argentina 2 Ivory Coast 1

Argentina seem to be under the radar entering this World Cup, mainly due to their atrocious showing in 2002. The lack of expectation may be a blessing in disguise and they showed today why they are one of the world's best against a very capable Ivory Coast team. This match was highly anticipated and it didn't disappoint.

Match Rating: 5 out of 5. Best game of the tournament so far. Great football. Argentina created numerous chances in the first half, including a shot that looked to go over the line. Ivory Coast had some good attempts of their own but left their comeback attempt a little bit late with Drogba netting around the 84th minute.

Player of the Match: Riquelme. Master of the Midfield. His free kick set up the first goal and he fed Saviola for the second.

Disappointment of the Match: The only disappointment is that someone had to lose this great contest and that an excellent team like Ivory Coast might not make the second round.

Huh? I learned something new today, the passive offside rule. When a shot or pass is delivered any number of players can be offside as long as the any player who features in the play is onside. Such was the case with Saviola's goal. There were two players offside at the top of the box but he timed his run just perfectly. Later on Argentina had a goal disallowed apparently on the same rule but I don't quite understand why. I'll get back to you on that one.

The Fallout: Argentina are off to a great start in the Group of Death. Even though the Ivorians lost Holland and Serbia should note that they are a team to be reckoned with. Based on the performance they showed today they may yet make it out of the group.

Extra: Crespo and Saviola were heavily tipped to star at the last World Cup, but Crespo played second fiddle to Batistuta and I don't think Saviola played at all. Four years late is better than never. At this cup Argentina still have players on the bench like Tevez and Messi. Scary.