Ready to start the final game of the day.
This will be Argentina's 13th World cup, holding a record of 33-19-8. Argentina has a successful run in the Cup. The hosting squad Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and then again in Mexico in 1986. While losing in the finals in 1930 and 1990. Despite all the success, they are coming off a dissapointing 1-1-1 showing in the 2002 Cup.
For the Cote de Ivory this will be their first appearence also.
We have our first goal by Argentina's Crespo, coming off a great run into the 6 to finish a cross. 24th minute, Argentina 1-0 Ivory Coast
This is an amazing match, that last header and save was incredible. The speed on the field, wow.
No offsides called, Argentina makes it 2-0 in the 37th minute. Great run through the defense to get the ball in the box and finish it.
Thats the half, Argentina leads 2-0.
halftime stats.....Shots 8-6 IV, on goal 4-3 IC.....Corners 4-2 IC.....fouls 7-5 Argentina....offsides 3-0 Argentina...saves 4-2 Argentina....cards(yellow) 1 Argentina....time of possesion Agentina 54% IC 46%
Ivory Coast has played well during the fast half and I feel they find themselves extremely unfortunate to be down 2-0. Great goals by Argentina none the less but the Ivory Coast certainly looks dangerous and like they could quite easily score multiple times in the second half.
This has been another great match, the speed and skill of these two teams are incredible. Some good oppurtunities and missed chances make this a watcher. Should be a very exciting second half!
..i'm watching this..on what I believe is a Portuguese broadcast.. I can't understand anything other than the names..but it's already more entertaining than other broadcasts.
Terribler dive by Argentina to give a yellow to IC. That was a bad dive! Eboue gets the booking.
..Ivory Coast finally holds the ball in their attacking third..but keep trying to do the same thing! Ah!
Yet another dive.. disgusting.
Argentina are pitiful, diving all over the field. Sorin is especially repulsive. Drogba was definitely just fouled in the box for a PK, ref has no balls however and won't make the call.
Ivory Coast can pressure, Argentina seems to be possesing when they get the ball instead of going to goal, might be to early for that, as IC has had some great oppurtunities in the past couple of minutes.(we are in the 72nd)
Yeah, bad foul in the box...that would give me my 2-1 score that I need to win the pool! Come on IC!!!
..let's call the dives both ways! Heh.
If there were any Ivory Coast dives to call, sure, but Argentina are living up to their reputation as cheaters.
Another card for Gonzalez of Argentina. Definately a hard foul, very deserving.
I MISSED IT!
..just saw replay.. w00t Drogba w00t ..don't think i'll be tied for 11th anymore!
-there was one dive for CIV..i def. agree with you though.. ARG is a bunch of punks.
YESSSSSS! We have a goal by Drogba!!!!! Nice hit.
GREAT GOAL by the Ivory Coast. Brilliant work by the whole team and a world class finish by Drogba.
This now makes the score Argentina 2-1 Ivory Coast. 84th minute
No goal, offsides, its about time they called it.
And apparently now the rule is, if you touch an Argentinian player, it's a foul.
Final Argentina 2-1 Ivory Coast
Another terrible match by the referee. Letting way too much gamesmanship go which he should not. This is the kind of business the referees were supposed to be cutting down on but instead it seems even more prevalant then ever before.
Overall
I'd say Argentina did look impressive, and even though the commentators made Riquelme seem unstoppable when he wasn't, he certainly played well and was creator of both goals. Sorin played well also but he definitely needs to be curbed as far as his diving and such business. The main problem is the Argentinians (and Paraguayans) rolling around on the ground as if they have been shot and then jumping up as soon as the player who "fouled" them has been booked. Ivory Coast looked dangerous at times and then also lost at others. I was surprised though and thought they might be a team of superstars such as Drogba and Toure and then no-namers, but they definitely didn't play ike that and used all the members of the team to put in an impressive performance.
Final stats.....shots 19-8 IC, on goal 8-4 IC.....fouls 14-13 IC....corners 6-3 IC...offsides 7-0 Argentina....cards 3-2(yellow) Argentina....saves 6-4 Argentina...possesion Argentina 60% Ivory Coast 40%
Great match(not just becuase I called the 2-1 score for Argentina and won the pool) very good players on the field, Argentina will go far!
To me Drogba was the best player on the field. His control and speed is awesome.
..just saw the replay of the 2nd "goal" for Argentina ..wow.. disappointing officiating to say the least.
What do you mean? Saviola was onside..
..only saw the replay twice. Maybe I missed a defender somewhere..but from what I remember..two Argentines were past the last defender including the player that received the pass and scored.
I didn't see the original play..and only saw a reply twice..but they froze it at the pass and dude was at least a stride offside as I saw it. Very possible I'm wrong though..
Crespo was definitely offside at the top of the screen but it would be extremely hard to say that he was interfering in the play and therefore offside. Saviola timed his run to absolute perfection I believe and just managed to stay onside long enough before Riquelme's pass was made and then finished it well.
haha..my bad dude. I just realized what I had watched was the goal that was called back..because he was called offside.
(I started watching the match more than halfway through) ..again..my bad.
No its cool man. I just was about to say something to that effect when you posted this last thing. Anyways, good game in all!