Argentina hold on against a brave Ivory Coast

A terrific performance from Cote D'Ivoire wasn't enough as goals from Crespo and Saviola gave Argentina a hard fought 2-1 victory in the opening match of Group C.

Didier Drogba's 82nd minute strike made for a thrilling end to the contest but in their very first World Cup finals outing the Ivorians eventually succumbed to an undeserved defeat.

Jose Pekerman made one unexpected decision with the inclusion of Javier Saviola for the recovering wonder kid Lionel Messi, while Ivory Coast boss Henri Michel named his strongest line up for their biggest ever match.

And the debutants started brightly, with Drogba and Akale missing half chances early on to remind the much fancied Argentines this would be far from an easy three points.

It was the South American attack that produced the first real talking point of the match though as Roberto Ayala's powerful header was fumbled by the Ivorian keeper Tizie on to the post, but despite Argentina's protestations that the ball crossed the line the referee waved play on.

Juan Roman Riquelme is expected to be vital should Argentina emulate their World Cup success of 1986, and with the man largely responsible for that triumph Diego Maradona nervously watching in the stands his beloved country soon took the lead.

Riquelme's free-kick was dangerous and although Heinze's attempt was blocked the ball fell kindly to Hernan Crespo who stabbed home to give the favourites a goal against the run of play.

Saviola was looking to justify his inclusion in the starting line up ahead of the likes of Carlos Tevez, and after cleverly starting an attack with a nice flick the ball sat up nicely only for his long range volley to flash wide.

Bonaventure Kalou and Didier Zokora were looking particularly impressive and the former played a neat one-two with Keita before lashing his drive past the post as the West Africans looked to recover from the early setback.

Cote D'Ivoire then produced a glorious chance when Drogba headed down intelligently from Akale's cross, but Roberto Abbondanzieri saved well from Keita's close range header.

For all their good play the Ivorians simply couldn't get the equaliser and their task would be made all the more difficult moments later.

Riquelme picked the ball up on the left and with a quick glance the Manchester United transfer target played a simply superb through ball to the onrushing Saviola, the flag staying down as the diminutive striker tucked the ball home for a 2-0 lead that was extremely harsh on the men in Orange.

Henri Michel would have been wondering how his side were in such a predicament at the interval and with the Ivory Coast forced to attack it was inevitable gaps would appear at the heart of the athletic African defence.

Firstly Saviola's brilliant run set up Rodriguez who fired over before another Riquelme free-kick from the left almost caught out everyone before sailing narrowly wide.

Didier Drogba had been rendered virtually anonymous thanks to the Argentine defence but his strength was highlighted as he held of the outstanding Ayala before scuffing a shot across goal, and as Eboue set up Keita to blast over it seemed it just wasn't their night.

Zokora's free-kick then fell to Drogba but his instinctive reactionary poke rolled wide of Abbondanzieri's upright.

With ten minutes remaining Bakari Kone unleashed a fierce effort wide from distance but neither he nor fellow substitute Aruna Dindane were managing to alter the proceedings in any significant fashion.

However when Kolo Toure's precise pass found Bakari Kone his cross evaded everyone, only to be whipped back in dangerously allowing Drogba to convert and set up a nervy ending for Argentina.

Riquelme had the chance to settle the match after an enterprising run and when Tizie failed to hold his long range strike Maxi Rodriguez followed up to tap in to the net, only to be correctly ruled offside.

Cote D'Ivoire never gave in but simply ran out of time as Argentina claimed the opening game of Group C, and sent a message throughout Germany that the winners of the 1986 World Cup may just be set for another very big tournament 20 years later.

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