Pics: Maxi goes on, Soto out

22nd Jun 2010 - Latest News

Maxi Rodriguez and Javier Mascherano can look forward to a World Cup knock-out clash this weekend - but the South African dream is over for Sotirios Kyrgiakos after Argentina defeated Greece 2-0 on Tuesday evening.

Diego Maradona's men will now face Mexico in Johannesburg on Saturday with a place in the quarter-final at stake after they comfortably topped Group B with three wins from three matches.

With Argentina already assured of a place in the last sixteen of the tournament, Maradona took the opportunity to rest Mascherano for the game with the Greeks - but Anfield teammate Rodriguez was in the starting line-up and played for just over an hour before being substituted to rest ahead of his country's next challenge.

It was never a classic Argentine display against a defence-minded Greek side who never really gave themselves a chance of snatching victory in a dour game, but the win they so richly deserved arrived late on when Martin Demichelis and then Martin Palermo grabbed two quick-fire goals to the delight of the excitable Maradona on the touchline.

Kyrgiakos completed all 90 minutes for his country and looked on course to help keep a clean sheet for long periods of the match, but ultimately Argentina's class proved too much and the Reds' defender can now look forward to a summer break before returning to pre-season training at Melwood next month.

Here's a selection of pictures from the final night of action in Group B.

Author: Paul Eaton
Tagged: argentina , greece , mascherano , maxi , rodriguez



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too bad maxi couldnt score
YNWACarroll
23rd Jun 2010 2:03
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