Argentina are safely through to the last sixteen, after two late goals were enough to overcome a negative but stubborn Greece. The victory ensuredLa Albiceleste top group B with maximum points andnow facea mouth watering repeat of the 2006 second round clash with fellow Latin Americans Mexico.Needing only a point to secure top spot in the group, Maradona made seven changes to the side which faced South Korea,resting several key figures. Nicolas Otamendi, Clemente Rodriguez and Nicolas Burdi so were drafted into the defence, Juan Veron and Mario Bolatti entered the midfeild and Segio Aguero partnered Diego Millito in attack. Greece meanwhile, employed what was e sentilay an ultra defensive 9- Brett Hull Jersey 1 formation, with lone striker Georgios Samaras virtually the only player to enter the Argentinian half. It probably shouldnt have come as a surprise but the Greek approach was startlingly negative, Otto Rehhagels men seemingly willing to only play for a draw even when their progre sion depended on victory.Such was the negativity of the Greeks that the game struggled to take off as a contest anddespite dominating po se sion Argentina struggled to create any sort of breakthrough. Even Lionel Me si could do little to liven up proceedings, rigidly man marked by Genoas Sokratis Papastathoppulos the Barcelona forward struggled to find space and on the few occasions he did was promptly fouled. That said La Seleccin did create a few openings, Aguero managing to turn behind the defence only to see his shot saved, whileVeron and Me sistung the gloves of Greek goal keeper Alexandaros Tzorvas from long range. Probably the best chanceof thehalf resultedfrom the combination of the two Rodriguezs. Clementes cro s picking out Maxi, only for the Liverpool wingers close range shot to be saved by the excellent Tzorvas.Me si and his shadowThe second half began with Jason Spezza Men Jersey a shocking pa sage of play, a Greek attack. Controlling a long ball, Samaras manged to get the better of a shaky looking Demichelis only to pull his shot wide. It was certainly a scare for Maradona and company, but normal service was quickly resumed as Greece failed to get near the Argentinian goal for the remainder of the game. On 68 minutes Me si was once again denied,as his long range free kick was well saved by Tzorvas. Argentina were dominating po se sion, indeed they would finish the game with an incredible 81%, yet there simply seemed no way past Greeces nine man defence.However, the deadlock was finally broken on 77 minutes when substitute Angel Di Marias corner was turned into the net by Demichelis. There was certainly an element of fortune involved, as Demichelis original header struck Diego Milito, but fell kindly allowing the Bayern defender to lash the ballhome.It is interesting to note that for all their slick pa sing football, this was the fourth set piece goal Jamie Benn Jersey Argentina have scored in the competition.Finally breached, the Greek defensive wall was beginning to crack and Me si was desperately unlucky not to double La Seleccins lead, striking the post after a fabulous run.However,a second goal did arrive with just two minutes remaining. Afteryet another Me si effort was saved by Tvorsas, 36 year old substitute Martin Palermo was on hand to convert the rebound and put the result beyond doubt. It was a fantastic moment for the veteran striker, who despite scoring the goal which e sentially allowed Argentina to qualify, has had his place in the squad severely criticised. Overall it was a thoroughly deserved victory not just for Argentina but for positive football as a whole. Few neutrals will be sad to see the back of negative Greece and now the world can look forward the clash with Mexico which should be anything but.Palermo and Maradona share an embracePlayer Ratings Romero: 6 Yet another quiet evening for the keeper, but he did nothing wrong when called upon.Otamendi: 6.5 Looked a sured on his World Cup debut, but was never overly testedDemichelis: 6.5 Once againlooked like a liability as Samaras seemed to have the beating of him. However the Bayern man redeemed himself by smashing home the opening goal.Burdi so: 6.5 A relaxing evening for the centre back, who had very little to do all game Andrej Sekera Women Jersey .Rodriguez: 7 A fine performance from the diminutive fullback, effectively operated as a left winger and the majority of Argentinas most threatening moves involved him. Man of the match.Veron: 6 The veteran failed to hit the heights of the opening game and struggled to unlock the stubborn Greek defence, but did come close with a long range effort.Bolatti: 6 An effective but unspectacular performance from Mascheranos deputy, recycled po se sion well without creating many serious openings.M. Rodriguez: 6 Other then one shot on goal it was a quiet performance from the Liverpool man, who also struggled to find a way through Erik Condra Men Jersey the Greek wall.Me si: 6.5 A difficult evening for the little maestro, was shadowed doggedly by Papastathoppulos and repeatedly fouled. That said he still managed to draw four fantastic saves from Tvorsas and hit the wood work. A goal will surely come soon.Aguero: 6 One good run and shot aside, Maradonas son in law could do little to find a way through Greeces defence.Milito: 5.5 A frustrating night for the Inter striker who barley touched the ball, this was in no small part down to Greeces negative approach but he would still have liked to have been more involved. Did play an unintentional part in the first goal though.SubsDi Maria: 6.5 Showed his ability at set pieces by picking out Demichelis for the opening goal.Pastore: 6 A few nice touches and pa ses in what was just his second international appearance.Palermo: 7 A fairytale story for the 36 year old, his well taken goal goes along way to justifying his selection.