SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: Messi marks first match as Argentina captain with win, beating Greece 2-0

Record ID: 455036

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: Messi marks first match as Argentina captain with win, beating Greece 2-0
  • Date: 23rd June 2010
  • Summary: ARGENTINIAN FANS
  • Embargoed: 8th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA1Y96UE61WVKZXB24LHXV7VXSG
  • Story Text: Lionel Messi marked his first match as Argentina captain with a win as they beat an ultra defensive Greece side 2-0 and cruised into the World Cup second round as Group B winners putting the Greeks out on Tuesday (June 22).
    Argentina broke Greece's resistance 13 minutes from time through centre back Martin Demichelis who blasted the ball into the net after his header from a corner was partially blocked. Messi made the second goal for Martin Palermo who tucked away the rebound in the 89th minute after his skipper dribbled into the area and saw his shot parried by Alexandros Tzorvas.
    Argentina completed their third successive victory to finish top of the group with a maximum nine points and will play Mexico at Johannesburg's Soccer City in the second round on Sunday (June 27).
    South Korea, who drew 2-2 with Nigeria in the other group game in Durban, will play Uruguay on Saturday in Port Elizabeth. They finished on four points ahead of 2004 European champions Greece with three and and the Nigerians with just one.
    As the fans from both sides drifted away from Polokwane's Peter Mokaba stadium, Greek fans felt that despite Argentina resting key players, Greece had at least managed a win in the tournament for the first time and that they hoped it would lead to better things.
    "You know Argentina played a weakened team and Greece just didn't show any urgency, and for me that's disappointing." said Dimitri, "At least they got a win under their belt, hopefully they can move forward now and achieve greater things, who knows."
    Greek fan Kris said that Greece fought a good game for most of the match but the quality of Argentina won out in the end.
    "We fought very hard for 77 minutes with a tactical game, and as it turned out Lionel Messi was too strong for Greece, and the better team won on the day, but we've got our pride, we won a result, we won out first ever game at the World Cup, and we'll be back in four years time. Greece has done everyone very proud." he said.
    Jubilant Argentinian fans left the stadium singing and dancing, one fan Alexandro said that Maradona's tactical substitutions changed the course of the match and managed to break the Greeks defensive game.
    "I'm very happy." he said, "Things started off in a difficult way but then they improved with a couple of changes. They scored two goals. Pastore and Palermo changed the course of the game."
    While another fan Sam felt that now Argentina would go all the way to the final.
    "We're getting to the final, we're taking the cup home definitely, we're taking the cup, we're taking the cup, we're taking the cup." he said.
    Argentina coach Diego Maradona, who made seven changes to the side that trounced South Korea five days ago including resting usual captain Javier Mascherano, as usual danced with delight at the end of the match in celebration.
    Before making the second goal Messi, who became Argentina's youngest World Cup captain two days short of his 23rd birthday, had two efforts tipped away by Tzorvas who had a busy night.
    The goalkeeper, who saved twice from Sergio Aguero in the first half, also stopped an effort from point-blank range by midfielder Mario Bolatti at a corner with 21 minutes to go.
    Messi was kept in tight check by the man-marking of Socratis Papastathopoulos, and was rarely able to show off his skills.
    Greece forward Giorgos Samaras had a good chance early in the second half on the left of the box but was wide of the far post with their first shot at goal after a sterile first half.
    After almost 20 minutes of midfield sparring from the kickoff, a deep pass from Juan Sebastian Veron sent Aguero through and his shot from the left was saved by Tzorvas.
    The corner was cleared to Veron who shot from 30 metres with the keeper again alert enough to tip the ball over the bar.
    Just past the half-hour, Aguero was close again when he met a right-wing cross but his shot was blocked by Loukas Vyntra.
    Samaras then put a low ball through to Kostas Katsouranis running down the middle but he failed to reach it.
    Sergio Romero had to fist away a free kick from Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis then Tzorvas had to save sharply again from Maxi Rodriguez and Messi, with his first effort of the match, just before halftime.
    It was left to Demichelis to put Argentina ahead with his late strike but Messi was to play a big part in their second when he fizzed a shot goalwards from the edge of the area and Palermo was on hand to convert the rebound and seal victory.
    Now Argentina must prepare for a clash with Mexico, their opponents at the same stage of the 2006 finals when they won 2-1 after extra time in one of the best games of the tournament.
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