World Cup 2006 Blog

I´m an Englishman living in Buenos Aires and it´s a great place to be right now with fire crackers banging in the streets around me. Argentina´s performance was the fruit of the passsionate football culture that embraces this country and it´s great people. That my friends was football.

I´m an Englishman living in Buenos Aires and it´s a great place to be right now with fire crackers banging in the streets around me. Argentina´s performance was the fruit of the passsionate football culture that embraces this country and it´s great people. That my friends was football.

Argentina look to be the favourites after that awesome display. They looked untroubled and so organised. It will be hard for anyone else to beat them in this kind of form. BRILLIANT!!!

I'm Argentine, and I enjoy talking about football only with the people that really understand and love this game. Certainly, you Brithish do. Great media and postings. Hope Argentina crosses its path again with the English. The World Cup would not be complete without it...

I´m an Argentinian man who lives in Buenos Aires. We really enjoyed our team performance. Like you said, today we saw one of the most beautiful football games in the World Cup history. And I think that this is what our boys will show until the end of the cup. Maybe Brazil, maybe England.. who knows, but today Argentina demonstrate huge skills; "here we are and we came to make some noise".

NO body thought that Argentina would do well in this world cup and that is
perhaps why Argentina could play so well without any pressure. Tonight, fans of
Argentina are celebrating in every corner of Bangladesh and a tea seller in
Dhaka

is treating all Argentine supporters tea at 33% discount. Hopefully, in the
next game Argentina will play even better.

Argentina showed the other supposedly great teams how football is really played.. I am Indian but My heart beats for Argentina.. absolutely awesome.. god bless u argentina..

Yes Argentina showed some lovely skill but Serbia & Montenegro didn't even try to close them down. Take the second goal - in most of the build-up you could have painted the Serbia & Montenegro players green and it would have looked like Argentina were just having a kick-about on their own. Its not hard to string lots of passes together when there is no opposition, calm down Lineker!

O to be a single man in Argentina tonight!

Maybe it's Argentina's turn for world campions. Only saw the first 20 mins but it was just beautiful.

Not that easy DJ, it is easier at soho, even today. That's why I like London...

for me argentina displayed array of soccer skills..be it passing,finishing and frustrating the oposition..bring on england,brazil :)i am amazd by the young talent this team has and their level of performance...i hope they go as far as possible this time

I waiting for Argentina to meet Italy that will be the game to watch in the world cup 2006. I really like Argentina but I am of Italian Decent so Viva Italia. I really enjoyed the Argentina game today, Great showing.
I need to add one more comment BRASIL WHO?

I waiting for Argentina to meet Italy that will be the game to watch in the world cup 2006. I really like Argentina but I am of Italian Decent so Viva Italia. I really enjoyed the Argentina game today, Great showing.
I need to add one more comment BRASIL WHO?

I was unable to see most of the game [Ivory Coast VS Netherlands] because of problems with work. I saw the last minutes with the Netherlands defeating the Ivory Coast 2 to 1.

Congradulations to the Netherlands for their victory.

My fear is that the Ivory Coast staked their hopes for peace on winning the World Cup. I just hope that at least having participated, they could use that as a steeping stone for peace.

Right, tough to be an English man and heap too much praise on the Argentinians (we all know there is "history" between us on footballing terms!). But I'll tell you this, I have been blessed with the chance to watch every minute of every game so far. And that, was the best performance of the tournament. Totally accomplished, and frighteningly strong throughout the squad. Messi and Tevez on the bench - you're having a laugh! Be afraid the rest of the world, be very afraid.

I waiting for Argentina to meet Italy that will be the game to watch in the world cup 2006. I really like Argentina but I am of Italian Decent so Viva Italia. I really enjoyed the Argentina game today, Great showing.
I need to add one more comment BRAZIL WHO?

I've been privileged to watch every game of this world cup, and once again, Argentina have shown us that the world cup is about big performances not just big names. They have sent out a strong message to the rest of the teams in the world cup. The most beautiful part of their performance today was the balance in the squad. They were not lacking in any department today, and even after taking the foot off the pedal, still scored three more goals in the second half. They are building a lot of momentum, and at this rate, even Brazil will have a tough time matching up. England need to go back to the basics of football and find their true rhythm. Rather than believing all the hype about their individual quality, they need to start playing as a team and stop punting the ball to Crouch. They should base their game on a team like Arsenal rather than Bolton - quick passing football rather than just punting the ball from the defence to the strikers, because quite frankly, its dizzy watching a tennis game on a football pitch. Ecuador have played the most impressive football at this world cup, after Argentina and Spain, and i'll bet my house on them easily beating England in the second round should they meet. Argentina vs. Spain in the finals anyone?

I've been privileged to watch every game of this world cup, and once again, Argentina have shown us that the world cup is about big performances not just big names. They have sent out a strong message to the rest of the teams in the world cup. The most beautiful part of their performance today was the balance in the squad. They were not lacking in any department today, and even after taking the foot off the pedal, still scored three more goals in the second half. They are building a lot of momentum, and at this rate, even Brazil will have a tough time matching up. England need to go back to the basics of football and find their true rhythm. Rather than believing all the hype about their individual quality, they need to start playing as a team and stop punting the ball to Crouch. They should base their game on a team like Arsenal rather than Bolton - quick passing football rather than just punting the ball from the defence to the strikers, because quite frankly, its dizzy watching a tennis game on a football pitch. Ecuador have played the most impressive football at this world cup, after Argentina and Spain, and i'll bet my house on them easily beating England in the second round should they meet. Argentina vs. Spain in the finals anyone?

Don't want to sound creepy but thank god the BBC were covering that game. Showing the complete build-up to THAT GOAL no less than three times almost makes me want to pay my license fee. ITV are a stinking streak of sick on the side of the road in comparison.

Ok I take my hat off to Argentina for that one and I feel less enmity towards them for the hand of God etc ; enmity has turned into grudging admiration for the first time in decades. Otherwise spare a thought for the valiant Ivory Coast who were kicked off the park by the Dutch who didn't deserve to win. There should have been a penalty or a sending off in favour of the Ivory Coast!

Wow.

No doubt, Argentina will win this tournament.

From an exiliated Argentinian in Canada, who has been frustrated at Argentina's performances in the last 15 years, I am delighted to see the team back with its heart in the field. The team has finally gave up betting on individuals' skills and is now playing as a real TEAM. Pekerman is orchestrating his games like Kasparov in chess! And the players are understanding their roles brilliantly! Delicious!

You will not see better goals than those scored by Argentina. They were walking all over Serbia & Montenegro. Loved that match I just loved the game from start , young talented players , I think our english team needs game plan and disipline , they need to pass like argies did , and always stay in attack , 1 thing about argies , they never gave up , till the last minute they were upto attack but incase of england they usually think the job is done.

Hi, The latest national sport seems to be doing England down. Granted they haven't shone so far but anyone who has played the game knows how difficult it is to beat teams who get eleven men behind the ball.As for Argentina, England had their best game against them in Japan and Referee Neilson robbed them of victory in France '98 where Simione took on the cheating role previously held by Maradonna. We have nothing to fear from Argentina.

Come on England show the world and revise the history :)

I'm an Argertinean living in Buenos Aires not far from the Obelisk. I agree with David's comment completely. I am no expert in football, but I'd like to say I've seen a beautiful match and team today. It is true we are fairly passionate people, yet the team showed quite a good balance between will and wits among all players.
We all remember Maradona's 1986 glorious goal (I mean the one unaided by God). That goal probably went down in history as the best single player's performance. Let me suggest Cambiasso's goal today for best team performance ever. If keeping the ball over 20 passes doesn't make it a memorable team goal, please tell me what does it?
It is indeed too early to forecast a winner team, but one thing is certain, many coaches will record this match and use it as teaching material for future generations of champions. Well done today, Argentina. It was magic. I enjoyed every minute of it and look forward to next Wednesday.

I think that second goal was the second greatest goal I have ever seen in a World Cup. And Brazil in 1970 only beats it because of Pele's pass and Alberto's finish and against best defence of Italy :P what do you say

I was more impressed by their win against Ivory Coast (a far better team than Serbia), it showed they can defend too.
They attack and defend using speed like no other team.
All my life I liked Argentina, I hope they win the WC.
I'm from Romania, I guess they have more fans now.
Mitch

I'm an Argentinean living in Buenos Aires not far from the Obelisk. I agree with David's comment completely. I am no expert in football, but I'd like to say I've seen a beautiful match and team today. It is true we are fairly passionate people, yet the team showed quite a good balance between will and wits among all players.
We all remember Maradona's 1986 glorious goal (I mean the one unaided by God). That goal probably went down in history as the best single player's performance. Let me suggest Cambiasso's goal today for best team performance ever. If keeping the ball over 20 passes doesn't make it a memorable team goal, please tell me what does it?
It is indeed too early to forecast a winner team, but one thing is certain, many coaches will record this match and use it as teaching material for future generations of champions. Well done today, Argentina. It was magic. I enjoyed every minute of it and look forward to next Wednesday.

I missed the Argentina game - the pitfalls of having to work and it's just not the same if you don't watch the game live and have to record it. I think Argentina have got a very good chance, Riquelme and Messi are pretty hypnotic to watch but of course I would like my team, England, to win the tournament! England v Argentina in the semi-final? That would be a very interesting game!! Have fun in Gelsenkirchen, that should be some party! I also thought the England supporters at the game were great last night, you kept singing and cheering all through the game and it must have given the team a real boost.

This thread should go on forever. If you could see any weakness in Argentina it maybe that they have peaked too soon (we hope sincerely in Blighty). I just cant get over it. THAT GOAL, as it was well described earlier in the thread, ousted the Carlos Alberto goal for 1970 for me - a true classic. Get a clip on the bbc website and I'll watch it on a loop. Seriously look at how good Riquelme is as a midfielder. He is immense and if England want to progress, Lampard and Gerrard will need to watch his performance on loop too. It was as complete a performance as I have seen a team deliver since THAT world cup final in 1970.

And Serbia & Montenegro are not exactly "mugs". As Ian Wright quite brilliantly put it "S&M got whipped". That was worth the licence fee alone!

W-H-A-T A G-A-M-E!!! O dear Argentines, good luck in repeating 1986.

Argentia were truly magnificant against Serbia & Montenegro. But have they peaked too early? The Brazilian coach asked his team to play at 70% in the early going and pick up the pace in the later rounds. Judging by the magical skills of their players, I'm not going to change my pick for the World Cup yet. Its still the BOYS FROM BRAZIL...

I'm with Paul Jewel on this one - I can't remember a team ever playing better football. The emphasis is on TEAM - every player, every position played their part, and Riquelme was like the conductor in an orchestra. When Messi gets properly fit...

wow! the best display of 'total football' i have seen. A fantastic team display, they showed everything required of champions from a good defence to a scary arrey of attacking talent -who all look in good form. Most of all they looked focused and determined and if they can keep such a strong mental attitude to combine with their jaw-dropping football then they will be worthy champions. England take note: that is how to play football..

Beautiful flowing football. This game was lyrical. The mark of a great football game is that swagger in your feet after watching the match. Argentine are serious contenders along with Spain. I think for the first time in many years, it will take a truly great team to win this world cup. We had enough good teams win it in the past, this time, its time for a great team.

"Don't cry for me Argentina"

All other contending teams are crying after that awesome performance.

Argentina played scintillating football but they were allowed to play at their own pace. I wonder how well they will play in the latter stages when the tempo is faster and Riquelme isn't given all the time in the world to pick a pass.

i have been a die hard fan of argentina since the maradona days and the team has always failed to live up to the hype since then..Finally the scales have tilted.. This is one of the best displays of team football i have seen in my life.. Go Argentina GO!!

By the way - Jonathan Pearce - top commentator and I'm not just saying that because he is a fellow Bristol City fan!

i am not ready to jump on this bandwagon just yet. common, they won a game against a team that is realing in scandal internally, injured players and certainly some political problems at home that is going to rip their country aparty. You don't think all that can affect their morals? for all the praise given to S&M prior, they certainly did not show up to this game. So reality check people, this is but a subpar showing by a European team. Get a grip.
Having said that, Messi will be a handful to contain in this tournament. Many teams will be able to contain the dangerous midfield of Riquelme & Co. but how do you contain Messi without pulling 2 or 3 players on him? this should be interesting indeed.

Waiting for Argentina to meet Italy that will be the game to watch in the world cup 2006. I really like Argentina but I am of Italian Decent so Viva Italia. I really enjoyed the Argentina game today and I know all Argentians in Toronto will be celebrating their victory today as they should. Great showing BRAZIL, WHO?

I m a Pakistani(Argentina fan), after watching todays game my passion for the argentina game has increased manifold, team was just amazing, can't describe the match, still in shock

that's football!that is how it should be played.based on that performance Argentina is THE TEAM.England can never play like that,they will be lucky if they pass the round of 16.

나는 너를 사랑해

Beautiful, just beautiful to watch. A team game and they sure showed us how it can be sheer poetry. Wow ! Thank you, Argentina.

In response to pete message 27. I am English too. I think the people who 'play down' England are realists. They are also honest with themselves and others. Some people like yourself are simply blindly patriotic. To say that Siminone cheated on that famous day is to refuse to admit that Beckham was at fault!! I feel sorry for you on two counts. First that you cannot see the performances of your country for what it really is. And secondly, that you refuse to admit that another country has just provided one of the most beautiful displays of football in modern times. I really wonder how you can enjoy the World Cup at all. A pity!!!!!

I'm Filipina but my heart belongs to Argentina. Beautiful, just beautiful passing game. I had goose bumps from just watching the game. I hope my emotional investment in this team does not turn out to be a disappointment like in the last World Cup.

Well done!

Don't know what the connection between Argentina and South Asia is but looks like besides the discounted tea in Bangladesh, there's a whole lot of answered prayers in Calcutta :) -

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/photos/index.html?aid=340501&d=1

Feel privileged to have witnessed that artistic display.

Trinidad was good, damn good.We go beat paraguay

why is that african teams are always on the receiving side from the referees and the fifa board? it is unfair, sepp blatter is the one influencing all this rubbish. tell your referees to be neutral and not to be bought by countries. africa has equally good players like europe and america. better still call it america-europe cup than world cup if the main ecency is to promote these continents. do not promote these continents in the name of the world. how many teams represent asia and africa respectively? people need an answer.

I`m an argentian man, who lives in Capital Federal...And just said this: "Thanks God for Sorin, Ayala, Rodriguez, Messi, Tevez, Burdisso, Saviola, Riquelme, Abondancieri, Heinze, Cambiasso, Crespo, González, Macherano...are so beatifull see them...THANKS GOD"...

With all due reservations thinking highly of our German team's potential(main asset: ever growing in stature, as in '54, '74, '90) I believe anyone denying brilliant, well: perfect Argentina the top role in the line of favourites is, well, foolish.
This seems to be a problem particularly among many England supporters on the various blogs I have been watching. Their blind overrating their team does in no way correspond to the meagre performances England has produced thus far. I wonder if living on an island is to some extent
inseparable from a lack of realism.

cambiasso goal

was one of the world cup great goals of all time no quistion.24 passes,
one twos and great touches one memerable goal.

also messi was world class when he came on scoring and assisting

overall argentina where sensational

wow. i live in los angeles and im a HUGE fan of argentinian soccer. the game was uplifting (compared to the last minutes of their first) and was a showing of great football technique. Its still early of course, but if this team maintains this level of play,... good heavens!,... they will be impossible to stop. PS> thanks for the awesome coverage!

That was a great game. I am not very clear why so many English people instead of enjoying what was a memorable football occasion have to spend their comments in denigrating a great Argentinean team has to display their sour grapes. So England so far has displayed a very mediocre form. But why not acknowledge an awesome display and enjoy it. Perhaps one day England will be capable of the same in this tournament…....

Argentina were superb, but they must make sure they don't get carried away. They were playing a team riven with internal disagreements who played at times like they didn't really want to be there - it reminded me in that respect of England's 4-1 win against Holland in Euro 96, where the quality of their football was temepered slightly by playing an unhappy team that let them play that way.
More street-wise teams will not give players like Riquelme so much time on the ball, and I've seen enough world cups to know brilliant performances in the qualifying rounds count for little later on. Having said that they showed the sluggish, complacent Brazilians a thing or two about football and the fourth goal was every bit as good as Brazil's famous fourth in the 1970 final.

Don't think Servia&M put up a real fight. Let me remind you of the 6-1 score in the 1/4 final of EC2000 against Yugoslavia. The Dutch played good footbal because the yugo's let them.... and of course the Dutch were good, but did not make it to the final :-)

Don't get me wrong.. I am sure this is a good team... but judge them based on more than one game..

and... there's more to come. i wouldn't want to miss the game of the Dutch against Argentina

Awesome. Just like watching Brazil (but without matchsticks holding your eyes open). As a Welshman I can relax now that it is clear that someone out there can stop THEM and that THEY are not going to win the cup.

Really stunning stuff from Argentina today. I'm English and have been watching World Cup tournaments since 1958 and that is definitely the best team performance I've ever seen. Absolutely brilliant.

Yes, S&M are not the strongest opposition, but they're far from the weakest either. They're certainly significantly better then Trinidad & Tobago. that's for sure!

Pekerman knows Messi, Tevez and someone named Palacio that can resurrect.
Alejo from Bs.As ,sorry for my poor english

As an England fan (though "sufferer" would be a more accurate desription) I would like to thank Argentina for reminding the world, if not the British media and football establishment, how football should be played. That was truly wonderful, and an absolute joy to watch.

To me the point is missed. Argentina may not win the World Cup. I for one will always remember this team. If England carrying on playing like this, even if they win, how joyous can it be? It would leave the same impression as when Greece won the Euros. It would only be remembered by myopic England fans most of whom seem never to have watched a game before (at least only in a beer-fuelled jingoistic frenzy) It is a results business, sadly, but it's about Glory too. England, world cup winners or not, can never play like Argentina did today. The English midfield is world class in it's own lunchtime only. They cannot, as Portugal showed in 2004, pass the ball. It is NBA-style star system capitalism gone mad. Build round Gerrard the only world class footballer in the midfield or lose it all: even Ecuador will pass us to distraction. This is the Ratner Generation.

I'm half-English, half-Argentine and live in London and I was giggling with incredulous laughter as I watched the game on the telly. It was a joy from start to finish. I'd love Argentina (or England) to win the World Cup, but even if Argentina fail to win it, the memory of that performance - and the second goal in particular - will live long in my memory.

British commentary really isn't something one misses. It is rubbish. Green, Pearce self-publicists, polemical for the sake of it. They add very little, other than noise.

a Pakistani living in USA singing .... ole ole ole ole ....

Go argentina!!!!!!!!!

Football is only a game not a science; or perhaps is more easily defined as an art as you see 11 painters desinging in only 90 minutes a masterpiece? Aguante Argentina! This game was a beauty.
Marcos (cordobes who lives Inglattera).

Unbelievable football from Argentina now thats what you call football. I'm an England supporter but I got to say this was one brilliant team and game. The only other footballing display in this world cup so far I have enjoyed was Spain's. The way both teams flowed is just amazing. For me the best players and who dont get as much credit are Riquelme for Argentina (nearly if not %100 successful passing) cool collected and doesnt want the glory just sets up the attack to play thier game. And for Spain Xavi different style of play compared to Riquelme but again no glory hunter tirelessly runs up and down the field providing for the attack to do their job. One thing I noticed of both teams their bench looks scary forget their team. Argentina have Messi and Tevez on thier bench! Spain have Raul, Reyes and Joaquin on their bench now that says something! Also I think getting rid of some superstars (or putting them on the bench) who dont pull their weight helps

Argentina.
Just brilliant...& that`s coming from someone who really hated them for a long time...
Still think they are arogant!but after today maybe they have every right to be...

England will have to improve 1000% to catch Argentina...

and i can`t see that happening

Absolutely brilliant football from Argentina and I would certainly not agree that S&M lied down. I think they were just played off the park. 2nd goal was probably the best I have ever seen and I would say this team definitely has the potential to establish itself as the best of all time.

Argentina gave us a great example of the beautiful game. However the worst performing team in the tournament has been England, even little old Togo have put in a better performance than England! If Argentina can keep it going I hope they win the world cup and in style.

I saw the game and it was awesome. I am dutch and really look forward to the final group game!

I hope the argentinians get at least to the semis.. if they play like this all the way then they deserve to be worldchampions! However.. one slight remark... it is very very dangerous to play too good too soon. From experience teams who grow stand more chance than teams who shine too soon and lose it at the end..

So even though England play absolutely disgraceful & horrible football.. they actually have a great chance! Shame on them they got the worst coach around though..

that's why football is so beautiful, because you can show much like these. Superb performance. VAMOS ARGENTINA CARAJO!!

Argentinians were superb. And all I have to say to Serbia is:
Could this be karma, amigos?
Hahahahahahahaha.

I refer too one of the early posts. Yes, without doubt Argentina are the bookies favourites... BUT, (yes) they are young. England's team were young at Euro 2004, tipped by many and ran out of steam early on. I think the Argentinians will get too the semis and do the same. Although the English haven not played well so far, performances count for very little in such a competition. I would bet that England will beat Argentina if they come face to face. The only way England can be outclassed is if we meet Brazil in a situation they have been before... the final. And this is a big if considering current form!

- The most beautiful individual goal in the history of the world cups:
Diego A. Maradona (World Cup 1986)

- The most beautiful Team goal in the history of the world cups:
Esteban Cambiasso (World Cup 2006)

VAMOSSSSSSSSS ARGENTINAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

I'm brazilian living in Brazil. Argentina played beautifully but I'm not worried, because they are on the opposite bracket and we will only meet in the finals. I honestly can't think of a better team to play against in the finals, Brazil will peak around that time and we should see some brilliant football. And we will win, we owe them payback from 1990. I was at stadio delle alpi that faithful day and because of Maradona my cruiseship ended up going on the "bad route" due to Brazil's elimination. So Argentina has a lot of bad karma to a lot of brazilians that were on that ship. And you all know what happens when you owe Brazilians karma, just ask the french. :-D

There is little doubt that it was one of the best performances ever seen at a World Cup. However, a couple of points need to be made. It is difficult to imagine a team that had less drive or steel than the Serbia side - by 60 mins it had the feel of a training game, with Argentina completely dominating possession, dictating the pace and being allowed to run unanswered. Secondly, Riquelme... While I agree, he's an amazing talent - he is only amazing if and when he is allowed uncontested possession in midfield. When there is pressure and tackles snapping in at him, he seems to go into his shell a touch - Villareal v Arsenal anyone? Anyway, I'm not being totally negative. If this Argentina side comes up against England, there is only one winner. Argentina - and I am English. The reason? England do not have the technique to hold the ball for long periods and under Sven, have lost the pressure and pace game that allows British clubs to dominate technically superior European ones. World Cup 2002 showed that England cannot hold the ball long enough to put pressure on talented teams when we fall behind - and when we lose the ball we find it incredibly difficult to get the ball back - because these chaps, those Brazilians and these Argentineans have immense talent and are used to keeping the ball for long periods of time. So congratulations Argentina - grudgingly given by a football fan.

El Diego.

Absolute magic.

I'm an Argentinian woman living in England. I disagree with a comment made by Razib Ahmed: "NO body thought that Argentina would do well in this world cup". Weeks before the world cup started, my fiance and his football-fan friends were all saying that they thought Argentina hada very good chance to win this year, and therefore was their favourite team. I have also read this in 2 message boards, always from non-Argentinian people.

I'm glad we're not disappointing them so far :)

And I have a (rhetorical) question: Why, after such wonderful performances, hace 2 english people on the street told me to 'get rid of that Argentina top - they're so crap!'. Hmm...

it is a goal that it is of a standard which we are knowing is high like the mountain of my father. I much apologise for standard of my English. Football love! jump and run you!

Argentina may not win the World Cup but this performance (as the one Denmark got against Uruguay in Mexico 1986) will be remembered for ever. My country is crazy at this moment. Can you believe that?

Let's see, what can I compare watching this game to. Imagine getting home and finding a beatifull supermodel naked and in your bed. Someone else put it better: "delicious game".

Two of the goals were offside, another should have been stopped for a foul and one of the others was very lucky, so really Argentina only beat Serbia and Montenegro by 2-0, which is a particularly poor result, given the quality of the opposition.

I find it unbelievable and a little sickening that anyone should think that Argentina were playing good football. Open your eyes!

In my opinion, the football was flashy and annoying and quite irritating, and lacked a directness that we enjoy seeing when England play.

I scored seven goals today, which is better than Argentina, although they all were against my sister in the back garden.

But she is quite athletic, for a four-year-old, and has a safe pair of hands, so some credit is due to me.

Therefore, I win the World Cup and Argentina progress no further.

Indeed, one of the best Argentine games. We hungry fans were served the greatest feast by the team. My best 90 minutes so far. Can't wait to see the next game.

Good luck Argentines!!!

-Gorkhe, Nepal.

Football is a game dreamt by Gods to be played by poets and for once in my lifetime this is how Argentina played today. Thank you. A joy and a privilege to watch it.

Any one who does not appreciate Argentina`s performance in today`s game is a great appology to footballing.

I live in England and strongly supports English football however, England should discard sentiments and face reality if they shoulg go far in this tornerment.

Sven should learn from argentine`s flowing river!!!.

I am an English Arsenal fan and the dude who said:

"no one thought Argentina would do well in this world cup" Dhaka in Baglesesh...Well it came as no suprise to me today,

Ive had a bet on them to win a while back at 10.5, and backed them today.

For Christ Sake look at their squad!!! its incredible, I sincerley dont believe the rest of the world wrote them off either, those who know football. Every department oozes class, from sorin, hienze, ayala, to the requilme, cambiasso, crespo calibre.

then you have the quality of messi, aimar, tevez to name a few on the bench. Long may this beautiful football continue. It reminds me of the arsenal at times!

there is much more to come yet dont get to excited argiant times, we shall wait and see when you face brazil the champs!no team plays better football then brazil and you know that, brazil will win no doubt

hi, I am argentinian, I live in Buenos Aires, and I can tell you, that before te WC started I had great expectations, but when I started to see that Messi and Tevez where going to be sitted in the bench, y was very angry and desilusionated... after Costa De Marfil match, I keep on being desilusionated, but...
After the marvellous football class to the world I saw today, I must admit that Pekerman is a very inteligent man, that knows how to tret the players, how to make them play their best football, Pekerman won 1995 Qatar sub 20 WC, 1997 Malasia sub 20 WC, and 2001 Argentina sub 20 WC, so....most of the players that are in this list of 23, Pekerman knows them better than anyone, and now I am totally delighted with his work till here, and Im sure that if argentina go on playin like this... It will be unstopable....
We fortunately have offensive players like no other team, Messi, Riquelme, Saviola, Tevez and Palacio (be careful with this young player because is the new Caniggia... or even better), this players have no comparission, they have the ability of, great aceleration, high speed, and all this with the ball not more than 30 cm separate to their feets...
AGUANTE ARGENTINA

bellamy you gotta be takin the piss seriously sayin England are better than Argentina.

Set pieces are only given away if you have possession. England can't pass the ball for more than 2 passes without hoofin it and givin it away

Argentina were sensational today and yeah I'll concede S&M were poor today, and Argentina can play even better than that.

The best team I have seen probably since France 6 years ago.

A well known Tango song says in a part: "twenty years is nothing" (que veinte años no es nada), its argentinas time to be world champions again like twenty years ago.

As I always say, you can't score with the ball in your own half. A series of quick, incisive longballs and quickly give you a lot of opportunities to score. It is a waste of effort to continually pass the ball. Many great sides down the years have proven this. I am right.

chematuco, you hit it right in the nail. Your post comes a few hours after mine on the other discussion about this game:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mb606/F4441083?thread=3164176&skip=220&show=20#p36635310

And you should see the responses from my fellow countrymen... Morals and rationality have crumbled to the ground in that society.
As an argentinean I feel ashamed to hear about the events you describe. I wish I could apologize on behalf of my people, but that is not up to me. Please don't think we're all the same. It would be nice if nationalities and the lame sense of pride it gives people would dissappear, so that every human being can be valued for its own merits.

I'm half Argentinian and half English so I'm probably Bias, but anyway I've got to say this:

I could only watch the second half but it was easily the best I've ever seen any football team in the world play 45 minutes of football. Their passing was amazing, and I've never seen so much skill in one match: nutmegs, stepping on the ball, taking people on, back-heals you name it!

Bringing Messi and Tevez (2 of the best players in the world) off the bench, after already taking a commanding lead is also amazing!

They deserve to win the whole thing - I just hope they do

¡Aguante Argentina!

Melina Enjuta

Regarding the problem you had with English fans about your Argentine T-shirt is not a new thing.
Educated and well informed English person will never say anything like that. Sadly there are many low lifes living in England fed by Sun Newpaper and hate for anything wich is not English. The blind Patriotism is sick. They are not only like that agains Argentins but their own Europeans like French,Germans,Spanish,Italians so this should not be a news to you. Don't pay attention to them they live in the buble of hate. I pitty them.

GREAT GAME BY ARGENTINA!!! BEST I HAVE SEEN SO FAR!!!

I'm half Argentinian and half English so I'm probably Bias, but anyway I've got to say this:

I could only watch the second half but it was easily the best I've ever seen any football team in the world play 45 minutes of football. Their passing was amazing, and I've never seen so much skill in one match: nutmegs, stepping on the ball, taking people on, back-heals you name it!

Bringing Messi and Tevez (2 of the best players in the world) off the bench, after already taking a commanding lead is also amazing!

They deserve to win the whole thing - I just hope they do

¡Aguante Argentina!

I'm both Argentine and English, living in Buenos Aires, and I'm of course thrilled about both countries winning. What Argentina did today was simply fantastic. Since the first moment up until the end the lads showed a superb display of football, a display I haven't seen for a while, at least not from Argentina.
Everyone was basically on fire and not only did their job, they actually enjoyed themselves out there. I hope that we can see more games like this in the cup, the level of playing is not really that good unfortunately.

I am from the UK but live in the USA and cannot put up with the inane and unprofessional commentary on World Cup games by US commentators any more.
They make factual errors - get players names wrong, and reasons for the ref blowing his whistle wrong, and even scores from previous games wrong. Their blabbing is so basic with no worthwhile insights on gamne play and continual comparison's to basketball, American football and baseball its driving me nuts.
Does anyone out there know how I can BBC commentary over the internet or via radio - especially sometime before the USA Vs. Italy game tomorrow ???

I am from the UK but live in the USA and cannot put up with the inane and unprofessional commentary on World Cup games by US commentators any more.
They make factual errors - get players names wrong, and reasons for the ref blowing his whistle wrong, and even scores from previous games wrong. Their blabbing is so basic with no worthwhile insights on gamne play and continual comparison's to basketball, American football and baseball its driving me nuts.
Does anyone out there know how I can BBC commentary over the internet or via radio - especially sometime before the USA Vs. Italy game tomorrow ???

I'm a Pommie living in Australia with slightly dissorientating insomnia but let that be as it may there seems to be a view that the Argentine match was the best ever in a WC. Surely for a match to be trully GREAT it needs two teams to turn up and play good football. I'm sorry to say that Argentina were made to look so good by an abjectively aweful S&B team. Yes Argentina scored some wonderful goals but against a defence as static as that even England would have had a field day!!! Also in response to some of the comments about comparing Argentina's performance yesterday with England's against T&T - if England had scored 6 everyone would be saying 'oh well, it was only T&T', so England can't win either way. They totally dominated the match with 63% of the ball and had numerour chances. And another thing England fans - stop bringing up previous issues with matches played against the Argies, get over it!!

I should have added that you're absolutely right in noting that argentineans take pride in cheating and not getting caught. I've grown up in that society watching others being glorified because they were "picaros" (witty) cheating the system, whether in games or in life. Meanwhile, decent people who follow moral principles and agreements are ridiculed and disrespected because they're not "cool" enough. Crooks and cheaters are "geniuses" over there. It's morals reverted in that jungle.

Requelme exists, therefore God exists; God exists, therefore Messi exists. Viva Argentina!!!

To win the World Cup you need greatly talented players and you need them then to fuse into a unified and determined and committed team. Germany, as always, is endlessly determined.England and Brazil have the great talents. But from today's display Argentina has both!This is Argentina's cup.

To win the World Cup you need greatly talented players and you need them then to fuse into a unified and determined and committed team. Germany, as always, is endlessly determined.England and Brazil have the great talents. But from today's display Argentina has both!This is Argentina's cup.

It is not Argentina's cup. The cup belongs to the world, to every small child with a tear in its eye, and to football. The cup is for us all, and please remember that. Thank you.

Chematuco, i am english as well and i think u are given a completely wrong description of the average argentinean. Would be nice if we can see england winning the WC, however i dont think the people in Uruguay would agree with ure thinking at all.

Argentina were absolutely superb. Hopefully they'll be able to keep up their good form. I wish Aimar also plays later on in the tournament. Cheers.

Hi, i'm from India but in Argentina for the worldcup. I'm staying with my friends from Argentina. This is a great time to be here rightnow. I think Argentina can win this year, they have so much talent. Can't wait for next Wednesdays match against Holland.

This argentinian team is destined to be greatest Team without a super star.

I really think this is José Pekerman master piece. He moulded a team with role players who understand passing.

i always liked argentian football because it is intelligent style , smart cunning and guile. I bought my first TV in 1986 to watch soccer to see what the hoopla behind maradona. WOW. From there i am fan of argentina.

I also have to state that there is a all out conspiracy against argentinan football by BRAZIL (FIFA).

Anyway back to this game , i really think this is best Soccer Team ever.
Even 1986 maraodna team was maradona + 10 other so so players.

What impressed me about todays game from the game against CIV was, the ability of Maxi Rodriguez and Cambiasso ability to score goals when chance available. A total TEAM FOOTBALL played by any team in the history of FOOTBALL. More masterpieces to come.

I have n't even started talking about messi and taverez.

I am indian from canada.

The Pope is German. God is Argentine - Diego X . Was scribbled on maradona's car.

I concur.

But this team is a masterpiece of jose Perkman. He devised the plan and taught them passing skills and trust the team mates.

Great Team performance. More to come.

There is a conspiracy against argentinian football by BRAZIL(FIFA). One day it will be exposed.

No let's put some things in to prospective.

Some people love to down grade everything wich is not English I can see that already. Now if Serbia was such a weak team they would not top their European Qualification group sending Spain for playoffs and conciding one goal in whole qualification period. Serbia&Montenegros football team is well know for having good defence and today Argentina demolished it. FACT!!!
Another fact is that Dutch managed to beat them by only by one goal. FACT!!!
Serbia and Montenegro is ranked by far higher then T&T and Paraguay and England berly managed to beat them. FACT!!!
And yes another point to show how fanatically jealous some of the rabbit English patriots are is that they always have to bring in England when the topic is not even about them.
This Rabbit Sun Patriots just can not say something nice to others when they do well. Things like "Great Guys" Good Luck Guys" "All the best" "Great game" "Wonderful Team" "Talanted team" this sort of words are not used in their vocabulary but there is plenty of xenophobic,racist sick patriotc poison which can come out at any given time.
It does not matter if Argentina wins the World Cup what matters is they play quality football and everybody sees and knows it only you haters do not wish to see it.

All the best.

In response to Domenic P N. 13
Brasil Who? just those who have won five times and the only ones to have been in every single World Cup. Has any other country donne that?

Having seen Argentina's classification matches for the W.C., I have to say I didn't expect this superb pefomance. There were some flashes of this during the last match against Brasil in Bs. As where Argentina got a 3-1 victory, but it, I think, has come from heaven accordingly with what we thought previously at this game. I'm stunned and enchanted with this kind of perfect football. First was "the orange machine", now "the criollos craftmen". By the way, if it's needed to say, I'm an Argentinean ex bored football fan. I hope it last.

For those of you impressed with Argentina's performance, you all ignored the fact that Serbia and Montenegro did not play and they all wandered back and forth. They gave all the space and watched Argentina do whatever. They suffered to beat Ivory Coast. I want to see them do that against Italy,Brazil,England and Germany.

A very entertaining and polished performance for sure, and pretty to watch, but whilst the vast majority are predictably waxing lyrical over this Argy display, I am now left wondering if my myopia was playing tricks on me.
Regardless of the relative merits of the quality of the respective teams, I was sure that I detected a broad tactical approach of the Argentines who achieved domination in the game by expending the first 20 minutes in theatricals, frustrating the opposition into submission.
Myopia maybe, otherwise perhaps I better go and buy another case of the cheap plonk I was imbibing at the time, it seems to produce entertaining results.

volveremo´ volveremo´... volveremos otra vez, volveremo a ser campeones...como en el ´86.
AGUANTE ARGENTINA LA PUTA MADRE QUE LO PARIO!!

For those who don´t understand english... just saying we´re gonna be champions again.
wanna see any other team playing like that..
TNX Argentina.

The Argentina match was why the world cup is so great. I thought the Spanish were impressive but the third goal from Argentina was team play at its best. Serbia and Montenegro are no slouches, and the group of death is living up to its name- just a pity Ivory coast are not staying.
Looking forward to all the rest of the matches- at least in Hong Kong they are on at night.

Ivory Coast was much better team than the results showed. Drogba did not play with any conviction, where as whole team played their hearts out and were running around for every possesion. They dominated the midfield vs both Argentina and Netherlands. Needless to say I support teams from Africa and so hopefully Ghana can somehow move on to second round. It would also help if Africa get at least couple of more slots in World Cup because it's a real shame likes of Cameroon, Nigeria and Senegal did not make it to the cup, where they have proved their quality to be as good or if not better than teams that have made it this year. Must say Argentina played awesome vs. S & M.

Argentina and England are sad football countries.

Brazil - 18 World Cups - counting this one
Brazil - Five time World Champions
Brazil - Scored the most amount of goals in World Cups
Brazil - Now the holder of 8 consecutive Wins in World Cups passing Italy
Brazil - Only country to win a World Cup in Europe
Brazil - Current Confederation Cup Champions - Brazil 4 X 1 Argentina

These are some true facts about BRAZIL!!!! NOT OPINIONS!!!!

Argentina was awesome, but Serbia-Montenegro was one of the weakest teams we have seen so far.
Ivory Coast was unlucky to loose two times against teams they should have drew against. The Czechs, Spain, Argentina, Netherland, Ecuador and Germany to a lesser degree have done a good job. Brazil, England and France were all disappointments.
But it's only the begining...

A beautiful game?

Why aren't fans gasping over the 0-0 draws between Mexico and Angola or Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden? Why the gushing over this match between Argentina and Serbia. Could it be that at last there was actually some scoring? Could it be that fans actually want to see the ball in the net?

It is all very well to talk of football being a beautiful game. If you say it long enough and often enough people may come to believe it. But the fact is, it is boring.

There are some sports such as basketball and cricket where the scores are so high as to be risible. But there are other sports such as rugby, ice hockey and volleyball where it is possible to play well and actually end up with something other than a 0-0 draw to celebrate.

Until football has more than a dozen scoring chances in a 90 minute game or one every 7 minutes (what could you do in seven minutes,brew a pot of tea and saunter back to the telly?) we in North America will find it difficult to take the game seriously.

Bruce

I love argentina and england , i think it is going to be an england argentina final, only thing erikson is the greatest obstacle , england is a very talented team can match argentina, he needs to get off his back side and allow england to be more adventurious , his style and approach shackled england , it was a great display by argentina today but england can match them , serbia montenegro was just out of touch , when argetina plays holland we will see how good they really are.

I'm Brazilian...a lot has already been said about this wonderful display of skills by my hermanos. All I can say is WELL DONE. Hope we don't get in their way...

A Ghanian in NY.. Argentina you are simply awesome fantastic and beatifullllllllllllllllll to watch .
what a game...

What is Bruce doing on this Blog? HE should go to a US site to talk about other sports. Stop winging about a game you don't understand.
Pathetic

Queridos mios,

Theres nothing wrong about show everyone else what you can do, early in the championship... at least not in this case... every Pekerman´s team starts the championships with the best they can give... most of this kids are already world champions on Pekerman´s youngest teams.

I love them all. I know what things they´re able to do. It´s just a matter of time. If this WC is not the one... I can wait 4 more years to see them WIN. Im pacience.... I have lovely memories of 1986 Thanks God.

just wait and see. Messi its already starting... good football its about to happen.... for everyone to enjoy.

Dios Salve a Argentina.
Celeste.

Im argentinian living in US, im so glad ARgentina played one of the best game so far. I also believe we should have the same passion to make our country bigger. We just can't justified our problems covering of a bit of extra positive energy came from the soccer. As argentinian i feel soccer is not the most important solution to the problems. Did ever people in my country think about it? i dont think so

Really stunning stuff from Argentina today

Neal Saferstein

- I wonder if living on an island is to some extent inseparable from a lack of realism.

Response to Post 60 by Rolf Habich.

I'm Japanese and we live in an island (well, islands) as well, and I do feel that we kind of lack realism from time to time, but roughly half of Japanese believed that they wouldn't get out of the group stage, and this was their answer BEFORE the first match that they lost to Australia.

Now, I acknowledge that English football is far superior to Japanese, but it's pretty fair to say that Japanese are much more realistic when it comes to football even though they live in an island. With all due respect, too many England supporters live in "La La Land". Besides 6 goals and what have you, Argentina's football, in particular, the 2nd goal was a form of art. Beauty.

I'm English and have been watching football for over 40 years and I have to say that was the most memorable performance I can recall from Argentina tonite. They were absolutely magnificent. I live now in New Zealand and was watching this in the middle of the night but what a treat to witness that quality of play. We salute you Argentina ... what passion showed by Maradona and the "hinchada" - fans of Argentina, I salute you.

What is that makes English fans so upset about Argentine football? Sour grapes, I suppose. When I see the likes of Rooney and his team mates they all look like drug-crazed bulls charging up the pitch with no sense of direction or skill. Just like one of the earlier bloggers who said, "...difficult to watch a tennis match on a football pitch..." IMHO England do not have skillful players like Argentina does. And that is the difference between the two teams.

There is a new favourite now to win the cup and that is Argentina.
I'm Dutch and live in Brazil. Everybody here thinks that Brazil will win the cup, although they sometimes may say otherwise. They compare this generation to the one of 1970, with Pelé in it. The thing is, Brazil is always so loaded with talent that they can usually afford to overlook the fact that football is ever modernizing. Not this time around! This is like the Dutch in 1974 who took the world by storm. Argentina is showing that modern football ought to be played with 11 men, on and OFF the ball. Brazil won't fare well with two overweight strikers up front, little movement and aging players. My money is on Argentina. Hope they fare better than the Dutch in 1974.

Cambiasso's goal was the best ever in a world cup after Maradona's solo masterpiece in 1986. Carlos Alberto's 1970 world cup goal doesnt even come close. In fact Alberto's goal is not even in the top five - it happened when the game's pace was very slow and the run up to the goal was straight forward. Cambiasso's goal had 24 crisp flawless touches and the ball was moved all over the field, ending in 4 sublime touches.

I have watched this game. I can die happy now.

Celine

You are right to be effusive over such a performance but wrong to see it as a title winning show.

Argentina were helped by an inept Serbian side and the luck they needed.

Like Holland they were lucky to beat the Ivory Coast and that form would not see them as favourites.

Assessing them individually, Riquelme can be shackled - Arsenal did it very easily. Saviola is equally stoppable - ask Barcelona, they are trying to sell him. Crespo, I know as a Chelsea supporter, is not the force he once was. Messi is a kid that needs to do it in a big game (not Serbia)- Chelsea had him sorted in the second Champs league tie before he got injured.

So be careful about handing out the crown too early..... Brazil/Italy/Spain/Germany and England are yet to hit full stride and remember it's how and, perhaps, who you play at knock out time that wins the title.

Long live Argentina and win the World Cup 2006 .

Argentina were brilliant. Every player truely World Class. They'll take 6 off England who are 2nd or 3rd rate in this World Cup. Argentina have let their football do the talking whereas England's talking has been pure hype based on raw emotion - there are at least 10 teams out there who are better than England whose attitude will again be their downfall where the team have grown to believe their fans' and media's hype.

I've just watched the winners of this year's tournament produce a performance of how football should be played. I'm talking about Argentina, unlike some other teams in the tournamnet who have won their games, but not very convincingly, they've not had to provide any excuses about their performances other than to say that it's to early to start talking about winning the competition. Perhaps some of the other "Fancied" nations would do well to follow their lead!

Impressive performance by Argentina today. Although S&M looked out if it, Argentina showed pace, ball control and good finishing. At the world cup level each game will be competitive and no team can expect to sail through. Can Argentina continue to show this level of team cohesion and form for the rest of their matches? I hope so as the games will be more entertaining. I also hope other top teams raise their performance levels up several knotches. The more competitive each match the better for us viewers.

I've enjoyed pretty much all the games so far but games with less long balls and more on the ground ball movement have been way more fun to watch.

I am looking forward to the Holland vs Argentina game as Holland must win that match to lead that group. And it will be a precursor to the level of play in the next rounds among the better teams. For Argentina to make the finals they'll most likely have to play Mexico in the next round, then Germany and finally Italy in the semi-finals. This will not be easy, particularly Germany being the home team and their large contingent of supporters in the stands.

I would like to see an all South America finals as it will be historic - the first time in a world cup on European soil. If Brasil can play to the level of hype and first win their group and then come through games with the Czechs and Spain (not easy at all) then they could meet Argentina in the finals.

argentina is really champion if "fifa left argentina".
pekerman please continue.

i am argentinian who live in buenos aires and all i can say is that i dont know who will win this world cup but today my blue and white heart with the sun in the middle,shone as never watching our boys doing it so well.

Re post 153

It seems pretty ungrateful to me to slag off a country so wholeheartedly when you're making your livelihood there. And if you're so intent on making infantile jokes/swearing in English and Spanish why don't you just take your comments back to the brawlhouse. Education is not just about knowledge, it's about knowing how to behave, something you sadly seem to have no conception of.

The Argentine Football is on cloud nine and they are justified being there.
Jose Pekerman's Pecking order has paid off.
Holland may have played total football, Brazil perennial favorites but should confess Argentina is the only team which has a Prose & Poetry in the game.
Yesterdays game has been one of the best ever.

A Mix of Six really put the Serbs in Fix where almost the whole argentine team showed its sublime trix & clix.

Crespo could be rechristined as CRISPO
Messi has MESSI-MERIZED the world.
Cambioso goal was a CaM-EO-SO goal
Sorin was literally SO(A)RIN-G high

Six cheers to the Albiceleste.

Currently in U.K relocated from India have been an Argentine fan since 1982 at 8 yrs not just since Maradona 1986.

May the best team win purely by skills and not Sheer luck .

At the moment looks like God holds an Argentine Passport.