Argentina beat Ivory Coast in "Group of Death" Opener

Argentina began the World Cup in style. After yesterday night's match, we can honestly say that "the group of death" will certainly give us more reasons to watch TV during the first stage. It began with Argentina - Ivory Coast, two of the greatest teams in South America and Africa. Argentina was coming after 3 World Cups in which it only managed to reach the first knock-out stages. Well, I think it's an understatement to say that this will not happen again this year.

The South-Americans began the match in Hamburg as any other great champion would have: on the attack and scoring. Outstanding passes, great circulation of the ball, good defending and a lucky finish by Hernan Crespo assured Argentina of a 1-0 lead. Jose Pekerman's favorite, Juan Roman Riquelme, did a great job in crossing the ball into the Ivorian penalty area, where the Chelsea striker only had to push it in.

It was all Ivory Coast afterwards. Despite some great chances by the African side, it was still Argentina to score the second. And it took the genius of the same Riquelme to make the difference. A superb pass by the argentine playmaker and Saviola netted the second for his team. At this score, no one would have thought that the Africans will come back into the game.

Still, the second part saw two teams with different goals. Argentina was trying to hold the ball, having no chances whatsoever in the offense, while the Ivory Coast was searching for an opener in the World Cup. And it came, in the 82nd minute - a little bit too late - from, who else, Didier Drogba. The final of the game brought nothing though, except the image of a very happy Maradona among the argentine fans.