WORLD CUP
Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
COMPLETE TEAM
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Goal
Shot
Video
Goal
Shot
Video
Shots (on goal)
tackles
Fouls
possession
Argentina
-
-
50%
50%
Serbia & Montenegro
-
Argentina
| Line-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| POS | No | Name |
G |
1 | Roberto Abbondanzieri |
D |
2 | Roberto Ayala |
D |
6 | Gabriel Heinze |
D |
21 | Nicolás Burdisso |
M |
3 | Juan Pablo Sorin |
M |
8 | Javier Mascherano |
M |
10 | Juan Román Riquelme |
M |
18 | Maxi Rodríguez |
| F | 19 | Lionel Messi |
M |
22 | Lucho González |
| M | 5 | Esteban Cambiasso |
F |
7 | Javier Saviola |
| F | 11 | Carlos Tevez |
F |
9 | Hernán Crespo |
| Substitutes | ||
| POS | No | Name |
| G | 12 | Leo Franco |
| G | 23 | Oscar Ustari |
| D | 4 | Fabricio Coloccini |
| D | 13 | Lionel Scaloni |
| D | 15 | Gabriel Milito |
| D | 17 | Leandro Damian Cufré |
| M | 5 | Esteban Cambiasso |
| M | 16 | Pablo Aimar |
| F | 11 | Carlos Tevez |
| F | 14 | Rodrigo Palacio |
| F | 19 | Lionel Messi |
| F | 20 | Julio Cruz |
Serbia & Montenegro
| Line-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| POS | No | Name |
G |
1 | Dragoslav Jevric |
D |
6 | Goran Gavrancic |
D |
15 | Milan Dudic |
D |
20 | Mladen Krstajic |
M |
4 | Ihor Duljaj |
M |
7 | Ognjen Koroman |
| F | 21 | Danijel Ljuboja |
M |
10 | Dejan Stankovic |
M |
11 | Predrag Djordjevic |
M |
17 | Albert Nadj |
| M | 2 | Ivan Ergic |
F |
8 | Mateja Kezman |
F |
9 | Savo Milosevic |
| M | 18 | Zvonimir Vukic |
| Substitutes | ||
| POS | No | Name |
| G | 12 | Oliver Kovacevic |
| G | 23 | Vladimir Stojkovic |
| D | 3 | Ivica Dragutinovic |
| D | 5 | Nemanja Vidic |
| D | 13 | Dusan Bata |
| D | 14 | Nenad Djordjevic |
| M | 2 | Ivan Ergic |
| M | 18 | Zvonimir Vukic |
| M | 22 | Sasa Ilic |
| F | 19 | Nikola Zigic |
| F | 21 | Danijel Ljuboja |
Match Stats
- Argentina
- Serbia & Montenegro
| 13(10) | Shots (on goal) | 6(2) |
| 12 | Fouls | 19 |
| 3 | Corner kicks | 4 |
| 3 | Offsides | 0 |
| 50% | Time of Possession | 50% |
| 1 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 1 |
| 8 | Saves | 5 |
91'
90'
The good news for Serbia and Montenegro - there is only one minute of stoppage time.
89'
The question for Pekerman now is whether he can include Messi and Tevez in his team. Crespo and Saviola haven't done much wrong, but this pair are superb.
88'
87'
86'
Just what Serbia and Montenegro don't need - Messi and Tevez, both with a point to prove, running at them.
84'
A wonderful goal to cap a wonderful performance from Argentina.
84'
83'
A rare wasted ball from Mascherano, going 40 yards and to no one. Has he been watching England?
82'
Riquelme, Mascherano and Sorin are all involved in another fluent move before Ergic wins the ball back.
80'
Messi and Tevez with a one-two before the move breaks down and the latter fouls Gavrancic.
79'
And it really couldn't get much worse for the Serbs there. A reminder of what a useful substitute Messi could prove and a scoreline that certainly doesn't flatter Argentina.
78'
78'
Corner but, as is becoming normal, Abbondanzieri comes out to claim.
77'
Gavrancic comes forward and goes for a really ambitious shot, from wide on the right. It's not bad, taking a touch off a defender and going into the side-netting.
76'
Poor cross from Kristajic and Heinze has time to retrieve and find a team-mate.
75'
First little burst from Messi after accepting Cambiasso's pass, but he can't find Tevez.
74'
And here comes Argentina's other super-sub, Lionel Messi. He replaces two-goal Maxi Rodriguez.
74'
Terrific move, possible penalty. Duljaj slid in on Crespo, played in on goal by Riquelme's backheel. More incisive attacking from Argentina.
72'
And eventually Ljuboja gets a foot in to end it - after perhaps 30 passes.
72'
Argentina play keep-ball and they do it very well. There must be at least 20 passes in a sequence.
71'
Tevez sets off down the left, cuts inside and sets up another spell of possession.
70'
Milosevic's 100th cap is over. Zvonimir Vukic is his replacement and that is Petkovic's last change.
69'
Predrag Djordjevic looks to slide in Milosevic, but Burdisso intercepts.
68'
Riqueleme lines up a shot but Ergic closes him down quickly to get the block in.
67'
It's even easier for Argentina now with Serbia and Montenegro, who had subbed two players on a yellow card, reduced to 10 by a straight red.
66'
Kezman's World Cup is over, then, and it has ended in disgrace. No sympathy for him here.
64'
Hoist by his own petard - Kezman has been making the most of challenges all day. Perhaps Mascherano did the same to him there, but it was two-footed anyway.
64'
64'
The one place there is space against Argentina is on the flanks because the midfield diamond can be narrow. Serbia try to use it, but then Stankovic crosses the ball straight to Abbondanzieri.
63'
Predrag Djordjevic curls in a cross, Milosevic goes down but there was no way that was a penalty.
62'
And once again Serbia struggle to get near Argentina when they turn on the style. Eventually Riquelme is adjudged to have fouled Ergic.
61'
Tevez gets a first run with the ball as an indication of what he can do.
61'
More possession and territory for the Serbs now, but perhaps that is a consequence of Argentine confidence that the match is won.
60'
Ljuboja twists, turns and crosses but the impressive Abbondanzieri comes for it.
59'
Sorin gets to the byline at the end of a fine move, but directs his cross at Stankovic, alone at the back post.
58'
And Tevez does come on as a direct replacement for Javier Saviola.
58'
Kezman fouls the influential Mascherano as the compete for a misdirected Kristajic shot.
57'
Milosevic's deep cross is gathered by Abbondanzieri.
57'
It looks as though Tevez is about to make his World Cup debut.
56'
Rare breakdown in communications from Argentina as Saviola passes just as Rordiguez has halted his run.
55'
55'
Riquelme tries to dink the free kick over the wall and into the top corner, but it hits a Serb head.
54'
Free kick to Argentina on the edge of the box after Duljaj brings down Rodriguez following a one-two with Riquelme.
53'
Riquelme nutmegs Kezman with conspicuous ease
52'
Terrific move, ended by a Jevric block from Saviola and an offside flag. Clever flick from Sorin, wonderful intricate footwork by Riquelme and Argentina are in their element now.
51'
51'
Kezman's cross was aimed at Milosevic but headed away.
50'
Ayala chests the ball back to Abbondanzieri after a cross evaded Milosevic.
49'
Change for the Serbs - Koroman, already booked, makes way for Ljuboja.
49'
Now Ayala comes out of defence after robbing Milosevic and Argentina can enjoy themselves now.
48'
Saviola pulls out to the right once again. Then Mascherano switches play to the opposite flank. Confident stuff.
47'
But they get caught on the break and could have been punished if Crespo could have found Saviola with his cross.
47'
Strong run from Ergic that took him past three, but he was tackled when about to shoot.
47'
That was the best save of the match so far, but the resulting corner is easier for Argentina to deal with.
46'
46'
Serbia and Montenegro, facing an early exit squarely in the face, get the second half underway.
46'
A change for Serbia and Montenegro. Ergic comes on to replace Nadj, which is a midfielder for a midfielder.
45'
45'
Poor cross from Koroman and Argentina can stroke the ball around at will.
45'
Two additional minutes are signalled. They can't end soon enough for Serbia and Montenegro.
45'
But Koroman's kick is too deep for everyone. A waste.
45'
Milosevic goes wide on the left, his cross hits the sliding Burdisso and it is a Serb corner.
44'
Sorin, once again, has too much room to run into on the left. It is a profitable avenue for Argentina, who then find Riquelme, who is fouled by Kezman.
43'
Stankovic gets away from Burdisso briefly with a neat piece of skill, but he can't get his cross in.
42'
High-class exhibition of passing from Argentina and the frustration is apparent for the Serbs. Kristajic ploughs through Saviola and is the third man booked.
41'
41'
40'
Kezman jogs off, but looks ok to continue.
39'
A halt in play as Kezman is down clutching his leg. He was caught, not deliberately, by Ayala.
38'
Predrag Djordjevic is involved three times as as the Serbs come forward but his cross, though decent, is claimed by Abbondanzieri.
36'
Crespo finishes beautifully, chipping a shot past Jevric from Saviola's pass - but the flag was up. He is given offside and, rather harshly, booked for kicking the ball away (into the net).
35'
Argentina play keep-ball and it's a chastening time for Serbia and Montenegro, who really are chasing shadows.
35'
Crespo almost meets Sorin's near-post cross. Instead, Jevric claims.
35'
Argentina just look a class apart from the vast majority of teams in this World Cup. So far, no one has passed the ball better.
34'
Kezman turns Burdisso but slips and the defender regains the ball.
33'
Milosevic lofts a cross towards Kezman but Abbondanzieri is positive, punching clear.
32'
And if you didn't think so before, you have to suspect that the Serbs are going home early from this World Cup.
31'
31'
30'
And this time Kezman doesn't get a free kick as Mascherano challenges him.
30'
Predrag Djordjevic takes but that couldn't have been much easier for Abbondanzieri. Milosevic, meanwhile, went down in the box.
29'
Ayala's giant leap is penalised for climbing on Kezman who, once again, doesn't really deserve the free kick.
28'
But here come Argentina with Cambiasso feeding Riquelme, who goes for goal on his left foot - but it sails wide.
28'
Riquelme opts to go back with the free kick, and it comes to nothing.
27'
Second booking of the game and it is Albert Nadj for shirt-pulling on Riquelme. Two of the Serbian midfield are in the book now.
26'
Koroman takes, and he has plenty of targets in the box. He aims for Milosevic, but he has fouled Sorin at the back post.
26'
Kezman goes down under the slightest of contact from Heinze. He is lucky to get the free kick.
25'
Riquelme whips it in, Crespo makes a near-post run and goes with his foot, but it sails into the hands of keeper Jevric.
25'
Riquelme takes the free kick from an angle wide on the left. He aims for Sorin, but Kristajic gets his head to it. Corner.
24'
Roriguez plays the one-two with Riquelme and is brought down by Koroman who, if he continues fouling, won't see this game out.
23'
Predrag Djordjevic pings a pass for Kezman to chase. Good idea, just too much weight on it.
22'
Argentina are back in possession and, as they often do, they look left to the advancing Sorin.
22'
Stankovic's long pass is headed away by Sorin, but the Serbs are starting to come into the game more.
20'
Predrag Djordjevic comes forward with intent. Kezman is at full stretch to meet his pass, but the move continues with Nadj finding Stankovic, but Argentina block his cross. Nonetheless, the best Serb move so far.
19'
Milosevic bundles into Heinze as they compete for a cross. The striker is penalised.
18'
It looks a straight swap with Cambiasso slotting in on the right of the midfield diamond.
18'
Now the corner is taken by Stankovic, but Abbondanzieri reads that, too.
17'
Argentina have to make a change. Gonzalez is injured and Cambiasso, dropped for him, is back in the action as the replacement.
16'
Milosevic turns away from Mascherano and finds Koroman. His cross is met by the retreating Mascherano, but with a poor touch that concedes a corner.
15'
Predrag Djordjevic floats a ball over the Argentine defence towards Kezman but keeper Abbondanzieri reads it.
14'
Argentina are really strong down their left flank. This time it is Rodrigues and Saviola who make the inroads before Riquelme's cross has too much weight on it.
14'
Sorin and Riquelme combine and it is a feature of the Argentine team how much the left back and playmaker do link up.
13'
It's about 40 yards out and, predictably, Riquelme is behind it. He whips it in towards Sorin, but the captain can't control his volley.
12'
Saviola darts through on the counter-attack. Gavnrancic halts him, but then Nadj brings down Maxi Rodrigues.
11'
Gonzalez slips as he is lining up a shot, and Serbia and Montenegro get the ball back.
10'
Kristajic's pass evades Koroman and rolls harmlessly out. A terrible start for the Serbs.
9'
Cross from the left from Kristajic is not well cleared by Heinze. It comes to advancing Predrag Djordjevic to shoot on the turn, but his volley goes wide.
9'
Koroman backs into Burdisso and may be unfortunate to be penalised.
8'
A rare long ball from Argentina and it doesn't work. A return to the slick passing seems likely.
7'
The Serbs' problems increase. Koroman hacks down Sorin, is booked, and will be banned for the game against the Ivory Coast.
7'
Terrific football from Argentina and it was notable that the scorer, Rodrigues, has been swtiched from the right to the left of midfield today - and he cut in from there to score.
6'
5'
Riquelme looks for the eye-of-the-needle pass for Crespo, but Gavrancic cuts it out.
4'
Kristajic and Koroman link up on the left. The former thinks he has won a corner but the Italian referee - rightly - gives a goal kick.
3'
More Argentina pressure, but Sorin's cross is blocked and Milosevic can take the ball up field.
2'
But Milosevic is back in defence to head away at the near post.
2'
Riquelme takes, Sorin dives in at the near post. Koroman scrambles it away, but at the cost of another corner.
1'
Riquelme and Maxi Rodriguez link up and Saviola's cross yields an early corner.
1'
Straight away, Heinze looks for Riquelme, but he is dispossessed.
1'
Argentina get us underway with the two strikers who are keeping Messi and Tevez out of the team, Crespo and Saviola.
A late change for the Serbs. Dragutinovic was injured in the warm-up, so Dudic comes in.
A win here will take Argentina to the brink of the last 16; defeat would effectively knock out the Serbs. The Group of Death has been compelling so far - let's hope that continues.
Argentina bring in Luis Gonzalez but leave Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi on the bench again. Savo Milosevic wins his 100th cap for the Serbs. Argentina: Abbondanzieri, Burdisso, Ayala, Heinze, Sorin, Maxi, Mascherano, Gonzalez, Riquelme, Saviola, Crespo. Subs: Coloccini, Cambiasso, Aimar, Cruz, Cufre, Franco, Messi, Milito, Palacio, Scaloni, Tevez, Ustari. Serbia & Montenegro: Jevric, Duljaj, Gavrancic, Krstajic, Dragutinovic, Koroman, Stankovic, Nadj, Predrag Djordjevic, Kezman, Milosevi