Netherlands And Argentina Advance After Tie, Ivory Coast Gets First Win
Posted June 21, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Argentina cruised into a second round match-up against Mexico in the World Cup of soccer tournament on Wednesday after a 0-0 draw against the Netherlands, confirming their role as title contenders.
The Dutch will go on to face Portugal on Sunday.
Lionel Messi made an impressive World Cup debut for Argentina. The 18-year-old played 69 minutes, exhibiting his remarkable skills and testing the Dutch defence time and time again.
The Dutch, content to save their energy for the second round, sat five starters for the game, while the Argentines sat four.
Veteran Dutch goalie Edwin van der Sar produced one of the game’s great highlights with a one-handed dive to swipe out a 20-yard attempt by Carlos Tevez in the 74th minute.
For a game between two mathematically eliminated teams, Wednesday’s clash between Serbia-Montenegro and Ivory Coast proved to be a thrilling match-up with a remarkable ending.
Bonaventure Kalou’s penalty shot in the 86th minute gave Ivory Coast a 3-2 victory over Serbia-Montenegro, capping a two-goal rally and giving them for first major win on soccer’s biggest stage.
“I was just a little bit nervous for what people would think about me and Ivory Coast,” said Kalou.
“I knew if I missed this penalty that was going to be terrible for me, but as a soccer player you have to take risks and that was another one.”
