Riquelme's master strokes create Argentina's goals

HAMBURG, June 11: Juan Roman Riquelme created two goals for Argentina when they were most needed to settle their nerves and send them on their way to a 2-1 victory in their World Cup opener against Ivory Coast.

Argentina took the lead in the 24th minute when a free kick from the left by Riquelme, tipped as a possible player of the tournament, was not cleared by the Ivorian defence and the ball bounced clear to Hernan Crespo three metres from goal who smashed it home.

Riquelme, whose superb ball through the middle of the defence let in Man of the Match Javier Saviola to steer Argentina's second goal past keeper Jean Jacques Tizie, made the most of the little space Ivory Coast allowed him.

''I know I'm going to touch the ball less playing in the position I've always played in on the left but I'm here to help the team,'' Riquelme said afterwards, referring to instructions from coach Jose Pekerman.

''Matches nowadays are decided by the tiniest things. An error in these matches can put you out of the tournament,'' he told reporters yesterday.

''Lately, more and more goals are being scored with dead balls and we were lucky today with the first goal.

''For the second, I had to play on the left and I had the luck of getting the ball,'' he added, describing the moment before he saw the gap and the small, lurking figure of Saviola.

The second goal was crucial in the end because Ivory Coast came back with a strike by Didier Drogba eight minutes from time -- and then threatened to equalise.

Argentina might have been three up, however, before that but the Roberto Ayala header that appeared to find the net from Riquelme's corner after 15 minutes was ruled not to have crossed the line after being fumbled by Tizie.

Netherlands play Serbia and Montenegro in the second match in Group C today.

REUTERS