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In the first World Cup Group C match, the teams of Argentina and Ivory Coast will meet. The Argentineans are considered the favorites with odds of around 1.5 in the betting offices, while the chances of African opponents are evaluated much worse. However, the Ivory Coast footballers are already considered the "dark horse" of the tournament. They probably have put together the strongest team among all African representatives, but on the other hand, they may have ended up in the strongest group of the tournament. Argentina - Ivory Coast Match start: 22:00 (Lithuanian time) Referee: Frank de Bleeckere (Belgium) Facts and statistics Head-to-head matches The two teams played each other once. It was a friendly match in 1992, with Argentina winning 4-0. Argentina Argentina performed impressively in the qualifiers - they became the first South American team to secure a ticket to Germany. In the qualifiers, the team finished in second place, losing to Brazil by just one goal. Since 1994, when the legendary Diego Maradona was controversially (for doping use) removed from the national team, the team never reached the semifinals of the championships. This year, the team is full of ambitions. Especially when you look at the team's history in the World Cups - champions in 1978 and 1986, two-time finalists (1930 and 1990), multiple appearances in the semifinals. This championship is the team's 14th. Best performance: Perhaps the most memorable and best performance of the team in the World Cups was the victory in 1986 when their leader, D. Maradona, shone in all colors. Worst performance: In 1958 in Sweden, the team participated in the tournament for the first time since 1934. However, they were completely unprepared and suffered crushing defeats to West Germany (1:3) and Czechoslovakia (1:6). FIFA Ranking: 9 Ivory Coast The team qualified for the World Cup thanks to Cameroonian player Pierre Wome, who missed a penalty in the last minute of the match against Egypt and "gifted" the ticket to the Ivory Coast team. This World Cup is the first one where the team has qualified after 7 unsuccessful attempts, so in any case, it is a great achievement, and even if the team fails, they probably won't be criticized. FIFA Ranking: 32 Injured players It seems that Argentina won't be able to avoid injuries, as Lionel Messi from Barcelona will most likely not be able to play in the first match. The team's coach allowed the player to recover from a thigh injury. In the worst case scenario, L. Messi may come off the bench. It is known that the player suffered a thigh injury during the Champions League quarterfinals with Chelsea and didn't play for two months, so the team's head coach Jose Pekerman wants the "new Maradona" L. Messi to be fully healthy and rested. However, there is some good news - it is clear that one of the team's main defenders, Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United, will play in today's match. Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast team has no injuries. Comments Argentina In today's match, Javier Saviola will be playing alongside Hernan Crespo in the attack. According to head coach Jose Pekerman, this is "because of the latter's ability to understand Crespo." "When they played together, our results were excellent," Pekerman said. "Saviola also looked good with Roman Riquelme. It is a team that has the best balance for the first match." Forward Saviola said that in the first match against Ivory Coast, Argentina will need to at least not lose physically. "It will be a good duel, where we must impose our game because our style is not as physical as theirs. To fulfill all our hopes for this year's tournament, we must pass the first stage. And first of all - win the first match." Ivory Coast On the other hand, African coach Henri Michel does not speak so confidently, and perhaps he aims to lull the opponents. "I know their (Ivory Coast team's) abilities and skills; now the only question is how they will react to this event. I hope they will overcome that debut jitters and show all their potential. In that case, my boys can beat anyone." The Frenchman Michel said that the first match will be decisive: "We know how important the first match of the World Cup is, especially against Argentina. The results of the first games often determine the team's further performance." Without a doubt, the team's offensive leader Didier Drogba is convinced that the Argentinians should not be considered superior to anyone. "Their advantage is the huge experience in similar tournaments. However, this does not necessarily mean much. They experienced a complete fiasco in the last championship. Everything depends on what form you are in at that moment." Friendly matches Argentina March 1, 2006 Croatia 3 - 2 Argentina Basel, Switzerland Just six minutes in, after goals by Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi, Argentina led 2-1, but they lost after conceding a last-minute goal by Dario Simic. May 30, 2006 Argentina 2 - 0 Angola Neapel, Italy Argentina secured victory with goals by Maximiliano Rodriguez and Juan Pablo Sorin. Ivory Coast March 1, 2006 Spain 3 - 2 Ivory Coast Valladolid, Spain The guests took the lead twice - after goals by Abdul Kadr and Bonaventure Kalou - but they conceded a goal in the 85th minute and lost. March 27, 2006 Switzerland 1 - 1 Ivory Coast Basel, Switzerland The Swiss took the lead, but Emerse Fae scored from about 30 meters to equalize. March 30, 2006 Chile 1 - 1 Ivory Coast Paris, France Aruna Dindane put the Africans ahead in the 72nd minute, but Humberto Suazo converted a penalty to level the score. July 4, 2006 Ivory Coast 3 - 0 Slovenia Evry-Bondoufle, France In the first half, D. Drogba scored two goals in two minutes, and in the second half, Kanga Akale added one more. Match predictions One thing is certain - Argentina should not expect an easy walk. Particularly since the Ivory Coast team, although newcomers in such events, demonstrate beautiful football and have experienced players like Drogba, Dindane, Kalou, Eboue, Kolo Toure, and others. Also, unlike Argentina, the team has no injuries, and, most importantly, they probably do not feel any psychological pressure. "It is logical to think that Argentina and the Netherlands will advance from the group stage," said coach Michel. "However, as we all know, there is no logic in football, the ball is round. Each opponent must be respected." Yes, the ball is round, and although the favorites are the Argentinians, without a doubt, an exciting and intriguing match awaits. Projected starting lineups Argentina: Abbondanzieri, Burdisso, Ayala, Heinze, Sorin, Rodriguez, Mascherano, Cambiasso, Riquelme, Saviola, Crespo. Ivory Coast: Tizie, Eboue, Kolo Toure, Kouassi, Boka, Fae, Yaya Toure, Zokora, Akale, Kone, Drogba.
