Abhay Puri rates player performances in Argentina's 2-0 win over Greece.
GREECE
Alexandros Tzorvas - 8
If not for his numerous excellent saves, especially in the first half from Veron, Aguero and Messi, Argentina could well have run riot tonight.
Loukas Vyntra - 6
Did a solid job at the back.
Vangelis Moras - 6.5
Made some crucial blocks and tackles, but in the end Argentina just had too much firepower.
Sotiris Kyrgiakos - 6
Defended well for most of the game, but was unable to do much about the goals.
Vassilis Torosidis (off 54')- 5.5
Suffered an injury after playing well at left back.
Alexandros Tziolis - 6
Did a decent defensive job but struggled to keep control of midfield.
Avraam Papadopoulos - 6
Played well defensively but couldn't stem the constant flow of Argentina attacks.
Socratis Papastathopoulos - 5
Made a few rash tackles and picked up a booking, but was otherwise solid at the back.
Giorgos Samaras - 7
As the lone man up front, he did well to get the better of the Argentine center backs on a number of occasions, but could have taken his few chances better.
Giorgos Karagounis (off 45') - 5.5
Played a captain's role for the first half but was forced off with injury.
Kostas Katsouranis (off 54') - 6
Forced off by injury, he played some good long balls from midfield but was forced to defend far too often.
Substitutes
Nikos Spyropoulos (on 45') - 6
Another of the numerous Greek defenders who tried hard but in the end, couldn't stop Messi and co.
Sotiris Ninis (on 54') - 5
Didn't see much of the ball as Argentina bossed the midfield and possession.
Christos Patsatzoglou (on 54') - 5.5
Was defensively solid but unable to do much in the end.
ARGENTINA
Sergio Romero - 7
Rarely called upon, Romero looked solid whenever he had to make any saves.
Martin Demichelis - 6
Defensively, he was very poor, easily beaten by Samaras on a number of occasions. However, he did wonderfully well to take the goal that opened up the game.
Clemente Rodriguez - 7
Made some good runs down the left, and was defensively solid.
Nicolas Burdisso - 6
Struggled to deal with Samaras and cover for Demichelis at times, but was rarely tested.
Mario Bolatti - 7
Had a good game, easily bossing the midfield and distributing the ball well.
Juan Sebastian Veron - 6
Far too slow on the ball, but had a superlative dipping shot in the first half that was well saved by Tzorvas.
Maxi Rodriguez (off 64') - 6.5
Did well in midfield, albeit against a side that rarely troubled.
Nicolas Otamendi - 6
Did well on the right flank, and was rarely tested defensively.
Lionel Messi - 8
What can we say about Messi? Even though he didn't score, he created the second goal, had the Greeks chasing shadows and was unlucky to hit the post. Also had a couple of shots saved by Tzorvas.
Sergio Aguero (off 77') - 7.5
Was very lively in the first half but the Greeks did well to swarm the ball quickly. Had a couple of good shots that were well saved or blocked.
Diego Milito (off 81') - 6.5
Was kept quiet by the Greeks for most of the game, and didn't see too much of the ball.
Substitutes
Angel Di Maria (on 64') - 6
Linked up well with the other midfielders and made some promising runs.
Javier Pastore (on 77') - 6
Looked impressive in midfield, though he didn't have much time to show his skill.
Martin Palermo (on 81')- 6
Took his chance very well to score the 2nd goal for Argentina after Messi had carved the defense open.