Argentina edge Ivory Coast

Argentina held on for a 2-1 win over World Cup debutants Ivory Coast in the first World Cup Group C match in Hamburg on Saturday. Goals by Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola gave them a 2-0 lead at half-time but a late Didier Drogba strike tested Argentinian nerves to the final whistle.


Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin praised his team's mentality during the win.
"I liked our attitude, always looking for good results but quiet," the defender told reporters. "A good attitude.
"We lacked some depth, we felt tired, but the team worked fine. The first match was a key one."
Ivory Coast coach Henri Michel urged his team to stay positive.
"The players are disappointed but we should not focus on the negative," said the Frenchman.
"We should try to look at this match and analyse things and continue to work with confidence so our goalscoring gets better.
"Now we have to work on our strengths and hope we can do better against Netherlands (on Friday)."
Ivory Coast created plently of chances when taking the game to Argentina in a tantalising contest but a combination of excellent defending by Roberto Ayala and goalkeeping by Roberto Abbondanzieri kept the African Nations runners-up at bay.
Argentina were unlucky not to open the scoring before Hernan Crespo's finish during a goalmouth scramble following a 24th minute corner. A Roberto Ayala header looked to have crossed the line after being fumbled by Ivorian 'keeper Jean-Jacques Tizié, but play was waved on.
Argentina had another goal disallowed later on, although Maxi Rodriguez was just offside when he latched onto a loose ball after Juan Roman Riquelme's original shot.


Ivory Coast had actually created more of the chances in the first half, Bonaventure Kalou missing a gilt-edged chance when heading straight at Abbondanzieri from close range, but good possession play and super running was unfortunately not matched by the final ball or finish, and could have counted themselves unfortunate to go two down when a superbly crafted move and Riquelme through ball was stroked home by Saviola on 38 minutes.
The second period actually saw Argentina dominate the game for much of the half, Riquelme majestically pulling the strings with Esteban Cambiasso impressive holding alongside Javier Mascherano, who was similarly disciplined in the role he occupies for Brazilian club Corinthians.
Argentina had a scare when Drogba turned and finished on 83 minutes after a late period of incessant Ivorian pressure, but they held out for the win and set the standard for a tournament that they surely feel they can win.

Man of the match: Juan Roman Riquelme - one of the men to watch in this tournament, his guile and eye for a pass gave Argentina the edge in midfield.