NETHERLANDS 0-0 ARGENTINA

21 June 2006

Argentina secured first place in Group C and a Round of 16 meeting with Mexico after a 0-0 draw with the Netherlands in Frankfurt on Wednesday, 21 June 2006.

The stalemate between two sides already assured of qualification left them tied on seven points at the top of the group, with Argentina finishing first virtue of their better goal difference. While Jose Pekerman's team move on to face Mexico in Leipzig on Saturday, the Dutch will play Portugal in Nuremberg 24 hours later.

The match:
7': The Dutch controlled the opening exchanges but Argentina showed the threat they carry on the counter as a perfectly-weighted ball from Lionel Messi looked to have found Esteban Cambiasso until an excellent challenge from Khalid Boulahrouz cleared the ball for a corner.

16': Gradually Argentina got into their stride and with Javier Mascherano pulling the strings and Maxi Rodriguez and Messi adding the flair, they began to look increasingly dangerous. Carlos Tevez curled a shot a yard wide from the edge of the area, but from the resulting goal-kick the South Americans played themselves into trouble.

17': Nicolas Burdisso was caught in possession by Dirk Kuyt who cut into the penalty area and shot for goal, but Boca Juniors Roberto Abbondanzieri turned the ball round for a corner at his near post.

24': Just a few minutes later Burdisso was forced to limp off and was replaced by Deportivo La Coruna defender Fabricio Coloccini.

27': The opening goal almost came direct from a corner, but Edwin van der Sar repositioned himself quickly enough to tip over a vicious inswinger from Juan Riquelme.

28': Again Riquelme caused problems and from his low free-kick, Rafael van der Vaart, stretching to clear, turned the ball onto Van der Sar's right-hand post. Less than a minute later Rodriguez flashed a powerful drive inches wide – Argentina were now moving through the gears.

40': Despite the attacking flair on show, neither goalkeeper was overstretched during the first half.

No breakthrough:
49': Strong and determined play from midway inside his own half from Tevez put the Dutch defence under pressure and Riquelme shot just wide from the edge of the penalty area.

54': Tevez was again the danger a few minutes later when setting up Rodriguez, but after cutting in from the right the Atletico Madrid midfielder shot over.

61': There were swathes of orange around the stadium in Frankfurt but it was the Argentinian fans who were making more noise as their side continued to control the tempo of the second half.

65': For all their possession, direct chances were few and far between for the Albiceleste. Tevez might have made more of a difficult chance when sent through, but he could not get the bouncing ball under his control.

69': Direct efforts from the Dutch were at this stage something of a rarity, so when Phillip Cocu shot narrowly wide from 20 yards it served as a wake-up call to everyone that they were not here just to defend. Cocu's effort precended the departure of Lionel Messi, making way for Julio Cruz following his first start at the FIFA World Cup.

73': Tevez however continued to provide a direct threat and brought a one-handed save from Van Der Sar with a well-struck drive from 20 yards.

84': For all that Argentina had forced the pace, the Netherlands were playing a well-controlled game and tried to snatch the points in the closing stages. However, a free-kick from just short of 30 yards by Van der Vaart was always edging wide.

In conclusion:
The Netherlands have not lost in normal time to Argentina in four meetings in the FIFA World Cup™, but it is the South Americans who finish the group stage marginally happier having secured first place. The unbeaten records of both should ensure they look ahead to the Round of 16 with confidence.