"B" ; "C" ; "D": Clinical Argentina down Ivorians

Argentina 2 - 1 Ivory Coast Clinical finishing proved the difference in the first Group C match as Argentina overcame Ivory Coast 2-1 in a high quality encounter thanks to first-half goals from Hernán Crespo and Javier Saviola. Predatory Crespo After Roberto Ayala nearly embarrassed goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizié with a powerful header, Argentina broke the deadlock on 24 minutes. Juan Román Riquelme delivered an inswinging free-kick from the left side that bounced down to Crespo, who poked the ball in from a couple of metres. Ten minutes before half-time Kader Keita was presented with a wonderful chance to equalise by Didier Drogba s knock-down, but his point-blank header was straight at Roberto Abbondanzieri. Riquelme contribution It did not take long for Keita s profligacy to be punished as Riquelme sent a slide-rule pass through to Saviola, who prodded beyond Tizié. Argentina largely contained their opponents after the break, although Drogba set hearts racing with a left-footed volley with eight minutes remaining. But time ran out for the Ivorians, who could not complete a dramatic comeback. Grp B England 1-0 Paraguay Grp B Trinidad & Tobago 0-0 Sweden Grp C Serbia and Montenegro 0-1 Netherlands Grp D Mexico 3-1 Iran Grp D Angola 0-1 Portugal