Argentines top Group C while Cote D'Ivoire leave with a flourish

A stalemate between Argentina and the Netherlands has seen the South Americans finish top of Group C, while the Ivory Coast staged a thrilling comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 against Serbia and Montenegro.

The goalless draw in the much anticipated top of the table clash sets Holland up for an extremely tough second round clash with Portugal, while Argentina will now face Mexico.

Both Marco Van Basten and Jose Pekerman made five changes to their impressive starting line ups and with so many alterations it was unsurprising that both sides were struggling to replicate their form of the previous group games.

Early on it was an extremely even contest with few clear cut chances, although Argentina looked slightly more dangerous going forward with Messi and Tevez both causing problems.

This was a tactical battle certainly suited for aficionados of the game rather than newcomers, but with qualification assured for both sides at times it did resemble a friendly match rather than a vital World Cup encounter.

There were occasional lapses in concentration from both sides, but neither Tevez nor Cocu could capitalise for their respective nations when chances were afforded to them.

The former golden boy of Dutch football Rafael Van Der Vaart had the chance to make headlines again with a late free-kick, however it flashed wide and with it went Holland's chances of topping Group C.

If that had been a slightly dour spectacle the other game was the polar opposite, the Ivorians and Serbians fighting out a thoroughly entertaining match which had virtually everything.

Serbia and Montenegro belied their World Cup 2006 form to date by taking an early lead, a beautiful long pass from Stankovic finding Nicola Zigic who calmly took the ball past a stranded goalkeeper to finish off his sides first goal of the finals.

Stunningly ten minutes later it was 2-0.

Predrag Djordjevic's free-kick caused havoc in a statuesque Ivorian defence and Sasa Ilic took advantage, again rounding keeper Boubacar Barry to tuck away as the S&M fans finally looked like having an afternoon to celebrate.

However defender Milan Dudic then inexplicably handled in the area to give Cote D'Ivoire a penalty and despite calmly converting, Aruna Dindane's first attempt to the keeper's left it was ruled out for encroachment.

Luckily for the Africans Dindane had the composure to produce a mirror image of his first try and the deficit was halved.

Serbia and Montenegro have had a horrendous World Cup in every sense and it seemed despite a positive beginning things were beginning to turn against them again, Albert Nadj receiving a second yellow card for a reckless lunge leaving his nation with the difficult task of protecting their slender lead.

It took until the 67th minute but the Ivory Coast did deservedly equalise when Aruna Dindane's glancing header from Keita's cross beat Jevric and now Serbia were holding on desperately.

With just six minutes of normal time remaining Dudic amazingly handled again to give away a second penalty, and Bonaventure Kalou denied Dindane the chance of the tournament's first hat-trick to convert himself and send the African fans into party mode.

The mood was slightly dampened by Cyril Domoraud's late sending off, but Cote D'Ivoire thoroughly deserved their victory in a World Cup in which they impressed greatly but simply couldn't escape from their 'group of death'.

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