Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Greece v Argentina match.
National anthems are on.. Some very focussed faces as the camera pans the two teams.
Here are the starting lineups -
Greece: Alexandros Tzorvas; Loukas Vyntra, Vangelis Moras, Sotiris Kyrgiakos, Vassilis Torosidis, Alexandros Tziolis, Avraam Papadopoulos, Socratis Papastathopoulos, Giorgos Samaras, Giorgos Karagounis, Kostas Katsouranis.
Argentina: Sergio Romero, Martin Demichelis, Clemente Rodriguez, Nicolas Burdisso, Mario Bolatti, Juan Sebastian Veron, Maxi Rodriguez, Nicolas Otamendi, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Diego Milito.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov from Uzbekistan
Players on the field. A relaxed looking Maradona watches from the sidelines.
Play begins.. !!
So here is how the group stands -
Argentina on top with 6 points, a draw or a win here and they go through as group toppers. Greece in with 3 points along with South Korea, also on 3 points. Nigeria without a point, look most likely to be eliminated.
We will also be keeping an eye on the other important game in the Group - Nigeria v South Korea..
Back to this game, uneventful first 8 minutes so far...
10th minute: Messi with a fancy run towards goal, easing past many defenders before being tackled well at the edge of the box.
Hoping to see some Maradona theatrics on the sidelines if things get tight...
On the evidence of the first 13 minutes, Greece are probably looking for a 0-0 while trying to hit on a counter when they have the opportunity.
Oh look at this! Nigeria score against South Korea in the other group game. Kalu Uche scores to give Nigeria the lead.
17th minute: Aguero makes a searching run and unleashes a quick shot with his left, parried well by the Greece 'keeper. First attacking chance of the match.
19th minute: From the corner, the ball is cleared to Veron who is mopping up outside the box. Veron takes a shot from outside the box, 'keeper Alexandros Tzorvas punches it over the goalpost.
The Nigeria goal against South Korea is real good news for Greece. If Nigeria does beat South Korea, a draw will be enough for Greece to go through.
Quite a sedate first 27 minutes..
Given that Nigeria is leading against South Korea now, a draw will see both Greece and Agrentina qualify. Do you sense some conspiracy theories? Well you didn't hear it from me.
Whenever Messi gets the ball, Greece is all over him. But if anyone can escape the attention of all the defenders, it is Messi. This could be a very engrossing battle - Messi vs the Greeks
34th minute: Samaras darts down the middle after controlling a high ball. Cut out by the defender before he can get a shot at goal.
36th minute: Argentina corner evades everyone as it slides past the face of goal.
Maybe I should be covering the Nigeria-South Korea game. More action in that game for sure..
40th minute: Fancy footwork from Messi as he glides past a sea of defenders. The end pass, however, is dreadful as the pass goes out of play.
News from Durban - South Korea restores parity against Nigeria!! Scores are level at 1-1... Bring out the calculators once more..
45 + 1: Messi curls one with his left from outside the box. Ball dips and swerves but keeper Tzorvas tips it over the bar. Impressive save!! Finally some excitement...
End of the first half. Goalless thus far.
Got to say this match hasn't set the pulses racing so far. Both teams circumspect, not really going all out in attack. But with South Korea having equalised against Nigeria, Greece will now be pressed to look for goals in the second half. If the South Korea-Nigeria game finishes 1-1 (as it stands now), South Korea will go through if Greece play out a 0-0 draw here.
Join us in a bit for the second half. Will I be able to finish my midnight snack before the action begins? Watch this space for the answer, we could talk some football too...
Back to second-half action..
48th minute: Samaras receives a long ball, breaks away from the Argentina defence, first shot is blocked and the second shot goes wide of the far post.
The Argentina defence looked a bit shaky on that play. Samaras should have got his shot on target and forced a save.
For those who are wondering about my time management skills, I'm afraid I could not finish my midnight snack in time (again).
News from Durban again, South Korea score. They now lead 2-1 . Park Chu Young from a free kick.
Watch out for the substitute Sotiris Ninis. He is one of the most talented young midfielders in Europe.
58th minute: Rodriguez with a shot, not on target though.
Ok let me apply my math skills once more. If South Korea win 2-1 against Nigeria (as it stands now), Greece will have to win by two goals against Argentina to pip the Asians on goal difference.
Greece need to step up now. They need two goals, even a 1-0 win will not be enough because South Korea will go through on 'Goals for'...
Greece still only has Samaras ploughing it up front on his own. Given that they are going out (as it stands), maybe it is time to change the system to a 4-4-2 so that Samaras has support.
68th minute: Messi with a free kick from 40 metres out, forces a save from the keeper.
Here we go again, the action continues in Durban. Nigeria scores this time. 2-2, all square.
After many minutes of calculation and intense discussion with colleagues, it is clear that Greece need a win to progress from here given the South Korea-Nigeria state now. A low scoring draw will not do for Greece.
78th minute: Forget the calculations for now, Argentina score!! Demichelis' header from a corner comes staight back to him after being blocked, second time lucky for Demichelis and this time he blasts the ball into the net with his left foot. Absolutely no chance for the keeper.
Argentina and South Korea are now hot favourites to go through to the round of 16.
86th minute: Time for some Messi magic! Makes a run into the box and leaves two defenders for dead. First defender was undone by fancy ball skills and guile, the second left behind through sheer speed. The finish is almost as good, but terribly unlucky to hit the post. That could have been a classic.
90 + 1: Agrentina put the contest beyond doubt. Messi with a powerful shot which the keeper is unable to handle, ball falls to Palermo who puts the ball into the net with intent from close range.
All over, Argetina win 2-0. Three wins from as many games in the group for Argentina.
Maradona walks around the ground with a smile on his face. An unmistakable swagger in the walk too.
The Nigeria-South Korea game has ended 2-2. Argentina and South Korea are through from Group B. Greece and Nigeria bow out.
Greece are eliminated after an insipid show against Argentina. There was hardly any intent or purpose from the Greeks, quite disappointing. Perhaps they had one eye on the South Korea game, but surely you take the field to win, and not sneak through based on the results of other games.
Argentina go through with a perfect record in the league stage. Messi may not have scored today, but his very presence will intimidate any defence. A couple of majestic plays from him today, this man can turn it on at any time he chooses.
So here are the first fixtures for the round of 16 - Argentina v Mexico ( June 27) and Uruguay v South Korea (June 26).
The Argentina-Mexico game will be the first real test for Diego's men to validate their title credentials against the sprightly and talented Mexicans.
My colleague Swaroop Swaminathan chips in with a beauty - "Diego Armando Maradona knows all about playing in Mexico - that World Cup in 1986 which became synonymous with Maradona because of his single-handed exploits en route to Argentina's World Cup triumph. Can he replicate his succesful Mexican connection, this time as coach?".. Swaroop, a lyrical football expert.
Be sure to join Swaroop as he brings you action from the Slovenia vs England game at 7.30 on Wednesday night. That's it from me, now it is time to find a 24-hour restaurant to make up for not finishing my midnight snack. Good night!
