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By Michael Walker in Polokwane
Breakthrough: Martin Demichelis wheels away after smashing the opener for ArgentinaMessi will definitely not forget his two scorers. The first was Martin Demichelis. Perhaps not for the last time in South Africa, the big centre half looked shaky at the back, but when offered a six-yard chance from a corner, with Tzorvas for once helpless, Demichelis battered the ball in.
Then, in the 89th minute, 10 minutes after replacing Diego Milito, 36-yearold Martin Palermo side-footed in a well-controlled second. It was the follow-up to Messi's latest shot.
The goals ensured a third straight Argentina win at this World Cup and from there a last-16 encounter with Mexico in Johannesburg on Sunday. They also ensured Greece go home.
Otto Rehhagel's team were defensive and stubborn. And yet, had Celtic's Georgios Samaras converted their sole worthwhile opportunity three minutes into the second half, the atmosphere may have changed.
Mark of genius: Diego Maradona points out his instructionsTwo days before his 23rd birthday, Lionel Messi captained Argentina for the first time last night. It was an occasion he will recall with a smile, or at least half a smile - he called Greece 'dirty'.
Reminding us of their success at Euro 2004, Greece did their best to ruin Messi's evening. They tried to progress by going backwards. With Alexandros Tzorvas defiant in goal, it was not until the 77th minute that Messi could relax. As time ran out Argentina then got a second.
Messi was not exceptional but he was usually faced by a minimum of two Greeks when he got the ball. He was still one of the game's major figures and thumped a post as well.
Asked if he was bothered about not scoring at the World Cup yet, Messi replied: 'I'm not worried. Of course I would like the ball to go in.' He added: 'I had a man clinging to me for 90 minutes. I tried to move to the wing. The referee was more on their side. They played dirty and they didn't allow us to play football like we do it.'
An animated Diego Maradona joined in. 'It's a matter of fair play,' he said. 'If, every time Messi gets the ball, the Greek players bring him down, you should give them a yellow or red card. It's over and they can play clean. The Greeks were pushing Messi. If I tell the fourth official and he doesn't react, what am I supposed to do?'
Supersub: Martin Palermo slots home the second for ArgentinaMaradona talking of fair play may amuse some.
He made seven changes from the side which put four past South Korea in Johannesburg on Thursday. Gonzalo Higuain, scorer of a hat-trick then, was rested, as was captain Javier Mascherano.
That meant the armband for Messi. He was the spearhead of a three-man strikeforce that included Sergio Aguero and Milito. Not bad for a second- choice XI.
Given the state of the group, though, this was a bigger night for Greece. Rehhagel's squad had received a good luck message, and a thank you, from their prime minister after the win over Nigeria - any distraction from Greece's economic gloom was to be welcomed.
Poetry in motion: Lionel Messi in full flight against the Greek defenceGreece came to be difficult. Achieve that and they could expand. The strategy contained a risk, of course, that Argentina could be held at bay, even this much-changed Argentina. But reaching 20 minutes, half-time and 70 minutes without conceding would have been Rehhagel's targets. They met them.
Tzorvas was essential to that. The Panathinaikos keeper made his first decent save in the 18th minute from Aguero, one from Juan Sebastian Veron 60 seconds later and two more, from Maxi Rodriguez and Messi, shortly before the interval.
In between Tzorvas made his only error when he spilled a low centre from Milito. Aguero was ready at the far post and got his body-shape perfect to volley home. He would have scored but for the intervention of Loukas Vyntra's right knee. The other half of the Greek equation was scoring a goal. Samaras was stationed up front on his own. He was willing but lacked support, yet on 48 minutes Samaras was found running by Konstantinos Katsouranis.
Demichelis slipped and suddenly Samaras was in the Argentina area. A rebound off Nicolas Burdisso was the second piece of good fortune in one move and Samaras had a great chance to beat Romero, but dragged hi s effort wide.
Rehhagel was honest afterwards. 'It was a deserved win for Argentina,' he said. 'We defended too much but my team were struggling. We can't do what they do, like bring in a Milito.'
Not many can. As Maradona added: 'The way I see it, very humbly, we have an excellent team.'
POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Greece and Argentina at Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Polokwane, South Africa.
POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Martin Palermo of Argentina (C) celebrates scoring the second goal with team mates Lionel Messi and Clemente Rodriguez during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Greece and Argentina at Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Polokwane, South Africa.
Argentina's striker Diego Milito (R) fights for the ball with with Greece's defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos during the Group B first round 2010 World Cup football match Greece vs Argentina on June 22, 2010 at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane.
POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Diego Milito of Argentina and Sotirios Kyrgiakos of Greece gesture during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Greece and Argentina at Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Polokwane, South Africa.
POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Javier Pastore of Argentina (C) is challenged by Sotirios Kyrgiakos (L) and Alexandros Tziolis during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Greece and Argentina at Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Polokwane, South Africa.
POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Martin Palermo of Argentina (C) celebrates scoring the second goal with team mates Lionel Messi and Clemente Rodriguez during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Greece and Argentina at Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Polokwane, South Africa.
Argentina's Lionel Messi (R) fights for the ball with Greece's Avraam Papadopoulos during a 2010 World Cup Group B soccer match at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane June 22, 2010.
POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 22: Lionel Messi of Argentina runs with the ball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Greece and Argentina at Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 22, 2010 in Polokwane, South Africa.
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