FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa - Argentina vs. Greece Full Time Review
The Group Leaders ‘Argentina’ faced the former European champions in a game that could spell the end of the World Cup for the Greeks. The Argentineans on the other hand are firmly perched on top of Group B, with their progress into the next round of the world cup almost certain.
Messi became the youngest Captain in Argentinean history, leading his team at the age of 22. The Argentinean coach, Diego Maradona, rang the changes and rested players like Carlos Tevez and Mascherano for this match. Upfront he brought in Sergio Aguero and Diego Milito, in what looked like a very formidable side despite the changes. Greece coach Otto Rehhagel made two changes by bringing back Giorgos Samaras instead of Fanis Gekas and introducing defender Vangelis Moras.
The match went on with no team getting any real chance early on. But on the 18th minute mark the Argentineans started to pick up the reigns to the game with Augero and Veron both coming close to opening the scoring. The Greek keeper Tzorvas knew it wasn't his day as he fumbled shots all over the place, and nearly let Aguero creep one in. Had Loukas Vyntra not been there to cover the Greeks would have been one down.
For the remainder of the first half the Argentineans enjoyed far more possession of the ball, with the possession being around seventy percent for the men in blue and thirty percent for the Greeks. Romero, the Argentinean keeper, was called into action near the 40th minute for the first time when he punched clear a free kick from Karagounis. In the dying minutes of the first half stoppage time, Messi and Maxi both called Tzorvas into action, drawing him to make fine saves off two goal bound shots. Soon after, the first half ended with both sides going into the tunnel with the score being nil all. The only player to get booked during the half was Katsouranis for a late tackle on Augerro.
The second half began, and continued in a similar fashion with the Greeks defending and trying to catch the Argentineans on the break. Argentina had the majority of the possession once again and Lionel Messi was starting to dictate the play in the game. It looked like it was only a matter of when, rather than if, Argentina score.
The Greeks had no one but themselves to blame as the Argentineans took the lead in the 78th minute through Demichelis. A very well taken corner was headed by Demechelis towards the goal but his own player, Milito, blocked the ball from going into the net. Demichelis, though, was the first to latch onto the rebound, and smashed the ball into the back of the net and put Argentina up one goal to nil. The goal sparked wild celebrations from the Argentinean coach, Diego Maradona, on the bench as he managed over what looked increasingly like a third consecutive victory for a very strong Argentinean side.
The confidence was oozing from the way the Argentineans passed the ball around the pitch, making a mockery of the defensive tactics employed by the Greeks. Indeed, Maradona was so confident that he brought on the vetran Palermo for a run out and he had an immediate impact as he scored after a shot by Lionel Messi was too hot to handle for the Greek Goalkeeper.
The match finished 2-0 to the Argentina team who make it 9 points from 3 games and take a perfect record with them into the next round. The Greeks, on the other hand, will be thinking about what could have been but their negativity did not deserve to be rewarded and the Argentineans were deserved winners.
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