Expert Blogs

There's been a palpable sense of joy about Argentina's first two games in the World Cup.

Granted, it has been eased by the fact that both times the team did not have to work to establish a lead. Spain, Brazil and so many others have wrestled with the problem of breaking the deadlock, but against both Nigeria and South Korea, Argentina was ahead from an early set piece.

By their own admission, Argentines are not the world's greatest losers, but so far things have gone well for them, they have played with a smile on their faces - and put smiles on faces all over the planet. In a World Cup where many players come across as coach's robots, the dash and audacity of Argentina's exhibitions, their own enjoyment of what they do and their happiness as a group have made an excellent impression.

The 2010 World Cup would be much poorer without them - but how far are they likely to go?

Two stirring victories do not mean that the team is perfect. My fear for them all along has been the lack of pace of the defensive line, and the importance of captain Javier Mascherano in protecting it. In this sense, there were some awkward moments in the second half against South Korea. Emboldened by being gifted a goal on the stroke of half time, the South Koreans came out after the break determined to show some of the stuff that had made them such impressive winners over Greece.

One break at pace tore a hole in the Argentine defence. Diego Maradona's men were fortunate that bearing down on goal in the right channel was the left footed Yeom Ki-hun He tried to take the shot with his natural foot, was unable to make the angle and the Korean's best chance of an equalizer was squandered.

But this Argentine vulnerability to the quick break was also highlighted by Nigeria. As the tournament goes on, it could prove a major headache. And the worst news of the second half was that Mascherano picked up a yellow card. The prospect of the captain being suspended for a key game, a quarter-final or semifinal, must surely haunt Maradona. There is no adequate replacement.

Bringing six strikers to South Africa inevitably meant that one sector of the squad would be left light, and in this case it is central midfield. There is not a lot of back-up for Mascherano, or for Juan Sebastian Veron, the veteran who sat out the South Korea game with a muscular problem. In his absence Argentina's passing was not as fluent from deep as it had been against Nigeria, and it was harder for the ball to reach Lionel Messi in dangerous positions.

Carlos Tevez took on more responsibility for linking the play, and did it well. But his selection does bring problems. He hit one dangerous shot, cutting in from the left, but his record of 9 goals in 56 international appearances tells its own story. At the highest level he does not seem to offer a consistent threat to the goal. As the tournament moves on and the games get tougher Maradona may be forced to consider the more pragmatic option of leaving him out in favour of an extra midfielder, thus giving his defence greater protection, and then opening up as the circumstances of the game require.

Against South Korea, though, Maradona took the bold choice when he withdrew Tevez with just over 15 minutes to go. Argentina was 2-1 up but the victory was far from certain. Many coaches would have made a defensive substitution. Instead Maradona brought on Sergio Aguero, another striker, and was rewarded for his bravery.

The thinking was clear, coherent and soon proved to be entirely correct. It was the most effective substitution of the tournament so far. With the South Koreans pushing up in search of an equalizer, there would be more space for the counter-attack, and Sergio Aguero, quicker than Tevez, proved perfect for the moment. Within five minutes he had combined beautifully with his strike partners to help set up the two goals for Gonzalo Higuain that clinched the match.

After an uncertain start to the tournament, Higuain's three goals must have left his confidence soaring. The same applies to the entire team.

Despite the problems, this is a team with infectious interplay and awesome firepower. Argentina have surely guaranteed their place in the second round - indeed, unless Greece beat Nigeria it will be mathematically assured, and Diego's happy band of men will be the first team through to the last sixteen.