Argentina 2 Ivory Coast 1: Riquelme the general as Argentina fire warning

South Americans defy Drogba's relentless Ivorians

Henri Michel, their wily coach, denied that was the case but the evidence was clear. Two first-half goals were taken with surgical precision by Argentina's strikers. The architect was as much the Ivorians as Juan Roman Riquelme. But such was their determined belief that they pushed their vaunted opponents hard. By the end Argentina were holding on as Didier Drogba's late goal brought a grandstand finish to a grand match.

In the seats Diego Maradona bounced up and down twirling his shirt but it was as much in relief as celebration, while Jose Pekerman, the coach, said: "Ivory Coast was such a strong team that it gives us even more confidence." The other nations in Group C may have slept a little less easily.

The victory gave the Albiceleste a firm grip on the group with Riquelme taking an even firmer grip on the playmaker role allotted to him. Pekerman wants him to be a true No 10 and has handed him the sacred jersey. He did not let him down, especially in the first half, although like his team-mates Riquelme again faded just as he had against England in the Geneva friendly.

But they won and in doing so erased their horrific start to the last World Cup and also their opening-day disaster in 1990 against another African nation, Cameroon, who the Ivorians pipped to reach these finals.

It was spirited, bold, a match to light up a World Cup, with two deeply contrasting styles and imbued with skill and commitment and rich endeavour for the Ivorians. They have precociously powerful players all over the pitch and in Didier Zokora, if Tottenham's interest in him is followed through, a refreshing addition to the Premiership.

Abdoulaye Meite is apparently attracting interest in England, too. It should stop. The central defender, along with goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie, the only player not employed in Europe, was the weak link. A rash challenge on Hernan Crespo as the striker controlled a long punt forward led to the first goal while, for the second, the Ivorians were pickpocketed by Javier Saviola.

It was an uplifting evening for Crespo, who stepped from the shadows of being Gabriel Batistuta's understudy for the past two World Cups - and Didier Drogba's deputy at Chelsea for the past season - to claim his 30th international goal. Drogba played a part in Crespo's goal, failing to head clear as he challenged Gabriel Heinze for Riquelme's whipped free-kick. The ball dropped to Crespo and he poked it home from six yards.

Before Argentina scored, Tizie fumbled Roberto Ayala's header against a post. As the ball rebounded it narrowly crossed the line but that went unnoticed despite Argentina's vehement protests. Then Saviola angled his run, Riquelme saw him and though Crespo sprinted too far forward, disorientating the Ivorians, his strike partner's first-time, flicked effort rightly stood.

Not that the Ivorians were remotely overwhelmed. Twice before they conceded the second goal they should have drawn level. First Yaya Touré, Kolo's brother, squared for the unmarked Bonaventure Kalou who side-footed wastefully wide, and then the impressive Kanga Akale crossed for Drogba to knock back into Kader Kieta's path. His point-blank header was trapped between the goalkeeper's legs. It was agonising.

The Ivorians charged on and Drogba barrelled into the area, threw himself down under Heinze's challenge, got up, had a shot and saw it spin to substitute Bakary Kone, who blazed over. Drogba then stuck out a leg at Yaya Touré's deflected free-kick - and guided the ball wide. Both maddening and fully committed, Drogba eventually swivelled to meet another cross and thrash the ball into the net.

"It's not what you merit or don't merit," said Michel when asked if his team were unlucky. "It's about winning and losing." But it was uplifting.