LiveBlog: Argentina-Serbia and Montenegro

A wonderful display of clinical finishing saw Argentina put six goals past a hapless Serbia & Montenegro, who finished the game with ten men. We saw almost the full repetoire of Argentina’s arsenal and nearly all of them scored. They treated us to the team goal of the tournament, gave Maradona the chance to repeatedly dance in front of a billion people and sent a loud and clear message to the rest of the teams. You don’t want to play us!

Final: Argentina 6-0 Serbia and Montenegro

Full-time: The whistle of mercy has blown and S&M’s misery is over. Their first and last World Cup has not been kind to them. Argentina have sent a message to all other teams in the tournament that you want to avoid them as much as you’re able.

89:44 – Who would have picked this result. Awesome display by a quality team. Argentina was as perfect as you can be. Holland will be very concerned if they need to squeeze a result from the next game.

87:45 – GGGGGGOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! Crespo – Tevez, Tevez to Messi. Messi slots home for number six. The first World Cup goal for Messi and not the last we’ll see no doubt. We saw it here first.

87:06 – Crespo nearly gets his second but denied by a fine save by ‘keeper Jevric.

85:24 – Argentina not even trying that hard and the goals keep coming. Messi shows a nice burst of speed. Argentina content to keep the ball, S&M content to not have them score again in the final minutes.

82:26 – GGGGGGGGGOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! Tevez skips past two defenders and into the area, one with a nutmeg, and slots it past the ‘keeper for Argentina’s fifth goal. This is getting embarrassing. The game can’t end soon enough for S&M.

81:37 – More keep-ball from Argentina. Fans in full voice iaround the stadium.

80:04 – Not a bad introduction to the game, provide the pass to set up the fourth goal for your team with about your second touch of the game. Messi looking to steal the headlines from Rodriguez.

77:50 – GGGGGGGOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!! Messi nice run into the penalty area and a perfect put back across the face for Crespo to finish and get his required goal. Ball went through the legs of Gavrancic on its way to find Crespo.

76:55 – Defender Gavrancic taking matters into his own hands with a driving run up the wing and a decent shot from the corner of the area that hits the side netting.

74:00 – Maxi Rodriguez gets a reward for two goals today with an early shower. First look at this World Cup of wunderkid Lionel Messi. Argentine fans must be happy to see him.

73:00 – Riquelme beautiful back flick to release Crespo who is brought down in the area. I think it was a penalty but not given by the ref. If Argentina was not 3 goals up already, I think we would have seen it given, strange as that sounds.

71:48 – Keep-ball has begun. Argentina not pressing, just keeping the ball away from 10-man S&M. Ole’s in the crowd as we watch this football clinic.

70:00 – Argentina look somewhat vulnerable to a ball to the far post. Their defensive system has them leaving that guy open until after the ball is on its way out there. Not unusual, but they don’t move over as quickly as I would like if I was an Argentina fan. Other teams take note.

68:33 – Some nice possession by S&M but it goes nowhere. Montenegro can hold its head up high that they’ve barely contributed to this World Cup performance.

66:40 – Nice run by Tevez into the box but he’s shut down and has to come back out.

64:00 – S&M pumpoing hopeful long balls into the Argentina box. El Pato will deal with those all day. Kezman gets his second yellow and this game is effectively over. Kezman sent off for a nasty tackle on Maxi Rodriguez. Shame for S&M, but no complaints about that card.

62:12 – Riquelme penalized whiloe trying to retain possession. Was just thinking he was doing so well keeping the ball during this game, not giving it up cheaply. Will we see Aimar replace him today? Or will Pekerman go with a more defensive player to batten down the hatches, kill this game off?

60:15 – 3-0 Argentina. S&M pressing forward a bit more. The game being played more in Argentina’s half so far. Hopefully they will not just sit back and play on the counter attack. That would be a bad way to end what has been an entertaining game to this point.

57:40 – Damn, I was right. Saviola coming off for Tevez. Makes sense for The Peckerman, but sad to see Saviola go. Now we just have to wait for the introduction of Messi and all the planets will have aligned.

56:40 – Shot of Tevez on the bench. Looking like a caveman with the long hair, we should get to see his fantastically ugly mug in this game very soon. Hopefully not at the expense of Saviola.

56:01 – More on Ljuboja’s hair. The bleached stripes he’s got there are a bit unfortunate cos they look like a bald patch from where we’re sitting. Cambiasso should be so lucky.

54:40 – Riquelme hits the huge wall. Skunk-boy breaks up the line and provides a nice cross which is played back across the area. The S&M striker Milosevic gets his head to it but cannot direct the ball goalwards. Nice counter attack by S&M and a reminder to Argentina to leave someone at home while they go play.

53:15 – Hard foul on Rodriguez on the edge of the area by Igor Duljaj. No surprises there’s a guy called Igor on ths team. Perfect position for a Riquelme special. A 7-man wall for S&M.

51:02 – More attackig from Argentina. Nice interplay by Riquelme on the edge of the area and the balls bobbles into the box but Argentine attackers are offside.

50:45 – Shot by Crespo, deflected by a defender and well saved by the ‘keeper. Crespo is due to score in this game and he came close there.

48:35 – Foul by Saviola tackling back. I like his work rate. Koroman coming off, perhaps to save him from getting another yellow card. He is replaced by Ljuboja who has seen how much S&M stink on the field and gone with a skunk hairdo.

47:18 – A couple of jinking runs by an S&M player with long hair. Cannot see his number. Gets nothing from the referee when he runs out of steam and falls over at Argentinian contact.

45:36 – Second half underway and S&M come out fighting. Savo Milosevic cracks one that’s well saved by El Pato, the Duck. I can’t spell his bloody name.

Half-time Highlights: Once again, each of the three goals were beautiful to watch. Crespo was onside and Argentina is the first team at the World Cup to score three goals in the first 45. Everyone has been jumping off and on the Riquelme bandwagon will have to put up with him a bit longer as the players come back onto the field. He’s been very solid this game, distributing well and always being an option for the guy on the ball. That’s the perfect game, even if he’s not the one providing the killer pas to set up a goal. Second half about to begin.

Half-time: Wow, what a display by Argentina. I thought they were solid but average against Cote d’Ivoire, doing just enough to win but not much more. Clinical finishing but not creating that many chances. Again in this game Argentina has not created that much, but when they do, look out! Superb movement, pin-point passing and a confidence in front of goal. I’m trying to think of some chances that went just wide or saved by the ‘keeper and I can’t think of any. Anything they’ve put on goal they’ve scored.

Not much to say for S&M. They’ve had to defend a lot this game, but their vaunted Fearsome Foursome, although depleted, has leaked more goals than I’ve had beers during this liveblog. Eveything about that statement does not bode well for the second half of this liveblog.

45:18 – Argentina’s defense has not really been tested by S&M but what they have had to deal with they have with a minimum of fuss. The game against the Dutch should be more strenuous, but it doesn’t look good for Group D runner-up. Incentive in that group to get as many points as possible.

43:25 – Good news for football fans is that we’ll more likely see early entrances for Messi &/or Tevez with such a cushion for Argentina. As long as S&M does not resort to hacking, we should be treated to seeing this excellent players. Although, who says Argentina needs them based on what we’ve witnessed today.

41:37 – Yellow card for Krstajic. Not that it matters. This World Cup is over for S&M.

40:25 – GGGGGOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!
My boy Saviola wins the ball in the corner, beats the forst S&M defender like a drum and shoots. ‘Keeper saves well but the rebound falls to Maxi Rodriguez how buries it. Argentina putting the hurt on S&M and nothing they can do to stop it.

38:38 – Kezman receiving treatment after a nasty bump from behind. Let’s hope he’s ok cos S&M don’t have many other scoring options. A replay of the goal shows again how classy it really was.

37:09 – Saviola working hard in defense too, amking tackles and then chasing the rebound even though it was a lost cause. Like that in a forward. The more I see of him play, the more I like him. Expect to see some goals from him today too.

35:50 – Goal by Crespo disallowed for offside. No matter how much he pleads. A shame cos the replay shows he was onside by a step and a half. Tood bad for the striker, it was a nice chip finish and he’d timed his run to perfection. Argentina looking to steamroll S&M.

34:01 – Cross from Sorin nearly pounced on at the near post by Crespo but the S&M keeper was there first. Redemption for Cambiasso with the goal after being dropped for this game. And no more jokes about his hair from me….for this game at least.

31:45 – At a loss to describe that second goal. Absolutely beautiful teamwork, passing and running off the ball. Anyone who doubts Argentina is the real thing only needs to look at that goal to have their words shoved down their throat. My prediction suddenly looks reasonable – except for the fact I have S&M scoring once.

29:55 – GGGGOOOOOOOAAAAAAALlLLLLLL!!!!!! Goal of the tournament so far. Ended with a back heel by Crespo inside the area and a nice finish by Cambiasso. Wow. Wow!

28:48 – Another free kick for S&M. Seems like most of their forward play is coming in the form of free kicks. This is not sustainable as Argentina will ahppily kick you all day and then pick up the pieces of your dodgy set plays. How do you break down Argentina?

27:45 – Riquelme shoots high and wide after being released by Cambiasso. Nice little touch inside to give himself more room, but the shot was not his best.

26:55 – Yellow card for Nadj. S&M really racking up the cards. Does not bode well for their last game.

26:00 – Free kick for S&M comes to nothing after Sorin refuses to jump and falls to the ground like he was shot by that creepy phone dude in Phone Booth. Anyone see that crap film?

24:20 – Krstajic confidently heads the free kick into Row Q. The corner is snapped up by the ‘keeper Jevric with Crespo lurking.

23:27 – Koroman scythes down Rodriguez and is lucky to escape a second booking. His minutes in this game are numbered if he keeps that up. Free kick on the corner of the box. Noice position for Riquelme.

20:20 – Shot of a drum bearing band from River Plate in the crowd. How can they allow those huge drums but deny the steel drums of T&T? Great atmosphere for those fans in that part of the ground.

19:01 – Question of the minute: in a team with such wonderful hair and flowing locks, does Cambiasso get tonnes of shit? Wigs left in his locker, Gifts of rugs? Still 1-0 Argentina.

17:50 – Milosevic kicks the crap out of Heinze in the penalty area. Heinze gets up gingerly rubbing his arse.

16:30 – Cambiasso is coming on for Luis Gonzalez who appears to be in some bother, perhaps a muscle pull. Cambiasso was benched after the last game based on his performance so I’m sure Argentine fans won’t be too happy with this development.

14:47 – First attacking move by S&M, a lob into the box that is easily dealt with by Abbondanzieri who should be benched for having such a long name.

12:40 – Free kick from Riquelme bounces off Sorin’s shin for a goal kick. Argentina looking comfortable on the ball and the fouls from S&M are starting to come faster now.

11:36 – Sorin bicycle-kicks into the crowd. Fancy but ineffective. Much like his hairstyle.

10:00 – Be interesting to see if the goal changes Argentina’s mindset. There is such a thing as scoring too early if it means your players relax too much and lose focus.

08:00 – Obviously not the start S&M wanted, but what a cracking goal by Argentina. Shades of the movement and teamwork shown by Spain against Urkraine for their fourth. The move started deep and the player than began it finished it. Beautiful to watch… over and over. Let’s see what S&M can build in reply. They HAVE to score in this game.

06:40 – Yellow card for Koroman after the Agentina fullback Sorin, who reminds me of Spain’s Puyol goes tumbling.

05:07 – GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL. Saviola lays on a great pass for Maxi Rodriguez who started the move and he blasts it into the back of the net.

02:55 – S&M no doubt appreciating being out of the sun today, even though they again have the early game. The sun against Holland was brutal, but Gelsenkirchen’s roof should take the edge off the heat at pitch level.

01:28 – Riquelme’s whipped corner isn’t dealt with by S&M and another corner results. This time they do better.

01:00 – Nice build up from Argentina, but Saviola’s cross is blocked for a corner to Argentina.

00:01 – We’re off. The crowd in good voice as Argentina gets us going.

1 minute to go: Argentina carrying 3 yellow cards into this game. Saviola and Heinze will certainly be missed against the Dutch if they do something stupid today. S&M has the same number with playmaker Stankovic the one to worry about. Yellow cards have been an issue so far in this cup. Let’s hope for a hard fought, but clean game. No hacking, no flopping.

National Anthems: Any precendent for Argentina doing better or worse in their away kit? Any Argentina fans out there know? Argentina fans in the stadium whistling during the S&M anthem. Nice guys, nice. Wonder if that tune will be changed when the countries split.

5 minutes to go: Players in the tunnel ready to come out. S&M in white and Argentina in their away blue. Maradona sighting in the crowd. He looks pissed or high already. High on life, of course! My prediction for this game? I think 4-1, but I’m not gonna say who.

10 minutes to go: S&M will be without their ManUre defender Vidic, but should have enough depth in defense to cover. However, in a game where they cannot afford to concede ANY goals, his presense will certainly be missed. For Argentina, Messi and Tevez have been talked about all over the Argentina blog this week and will they/won’t they start. Chances are they will see some action at some point this game in oder to let them have some playing time before the final round war with the Netherlands.

Pregame: This one should be a classic. Who’s going to win?
S&M will have to come out and attack this game to get a result. A second loss all but eliminates them from the tournament. A more attacking team leaves holes at the back and Argentina has the advantage of not having to press for the win. While the Argies will not want to leave their position in Group C until the game against Holland, they do have the knowledge that a draw will be enough if the game goes in that direction.

Having said all that, we’ve seen how games in this World Cup are won and lost in the final minutes. Ease off on the accelerator at your own peril. With the S&M team’s strong defense and the Argentinian propensity for flopping about like beached fish, this could be a stop-start game. A game of set pieces. Argentina have the ball-maestro in Roman Riquelme, and S&M have plenty of tall timber to throw forward and crowd the box.

Live every game in Group C, this one has some tasty implications and some fantastic football potential. Let’s hope we see more of that than yellow cards from the referee.

	Soccer Forums	International Results			Travel