Sergio Aguero will garner the headlines but there was much to admire in Argentina’s overall performance and their 3-1 win over Poland. With the second half only seconds old Aguero flicked to ball up and over the Polish defender, pivoted and deposited the ball past Bialkowski.

Aguero’s second of the game, with only five minutes remaining, was another for the highlight reel as he took the ball past the keeper in Romario-style (around the 400 goal mark not the thousand) and rolled the ball over the line.

The first goal from Argentina that pegged the Poles back to 1-1 was simply spectacular. Banega who was the source of such much creative play in the Argentine midfield started the play ten yards inside his own half. The ball eventually reached little Moralez the other side of the halfway line and he proceeded to skin four Polish defenders. Given the outcome the last defender must have regretted pulling out of a tackle which would have stopped the Argentine number 17 but would have likely led to a yellow card.

On Moralez went playing a one-two that he then picked up in the penalty box before squaring to Di Maria who scored. Moralez operated just behind the front two and his pace and dribbling skills were a constant menace to Poland.

Eight minutes before Dawid Janczyk had put the Poles into the lead after the Argentine defense was caught ball watching. Was it offside? Perhaps, but it was an extremely close call and Argentina did not appeal the decision.

Poland was a worthy opponent and tackled ferociously but fairly most of time and Janczyk’s sending off in the last seconds of the game was more due to frustration than any malicious intent.

Argentina moves on and awaits Mexico or Congo in the quarter final.

As a post-script fifteen minutes after the game the Argentina fans are holding an impromptu celebration in the north end of BMO Field that looks as if it is going to continue for a good while.

Well day one is done and not many people would have bet that both Brazil and Argentina would complete the first day of competition without a win and without a goal. Argentina arrived as a strong defensive team and that was clearly on show against the Czech Republic.

Argentina dominated possession (59 to 41) and attempts on goal (22 to 2) but was missing an out-and-out goal scorer to get on the end of the numerous build-ups.

Ironically it was the Czechs who had the best chance of the game when Argentine keeper Romero opted to charge the Czech attacker on a break away and Argentina had to rely on substitute Acosta to clear the ball as it rolled towards the goal line.

Replays also showed that the Czechs were denied a first half penalty when Fenin tripped in the penalty box. Rather than pointing to the spot the referee booked the Czech player for diving. 

Moralez was the main threat (and a crowd pleaser to boot) during the first half while Banega dominated the second half for Argentina. Banega 's style was reminiscent of former great Fernando Redondo while Sergio Aguero often looks like a young Romario. 

Group E finishes day one with no goals and all four countries sitting on a point each. On Tuesday the Czech Republic plays North Korea and Panama plays Argentina. No matter Tuesday’s outcome all four teams are already guaranteed to be in contention on the final day of Group E play on Friday. 

Day 1 Wrap
Decent weather, great crowds, some good football but not a lot of goals.
Player of the Day - Lee Young Sung (South Korea)

TV Broadcast
Low point – The CBC crew of Steve Armitage and Paul Dolan were clueless when Krol was sent off against Brazil. It wasn’t until Krol was walking to the dressing room that it clicked that perhaps he had received something more than a yellow card – even though referee Howard Webb clearly showed a red card straight after the second yellow.  The first was shown 20 minutes earlier.

Please stop – refering to Canada as Team Canada.

High point – On the Argentina – Czech Republic game CBC used Steve Banyard as the play-by-play announcer and he was as usual excellent.

Blame it on the Boogie - CBC is using two in-studio analysts as well as two play-by-play crews. Of the four experts (two colour commentators and two in-studio analysts) three are former goalkeepers (Paul Dolan, Craig Forrest and #### Howard) and a left back (Bob Lenarduzzi). Don’t be surprised if Bob gets blamed if any of the former goalkeepers makes a mistake.

You can send any information (fsr@mts.net) that you think might be of interest about the twenty-four countries and I will post a regular selection. If you have a FIFA Under-20 blog go ahead and post your link under comments.

You can also check out the National Post blog.

Sepp Blatter thinks that this is the best ever World Cup – but there again he would.

Meanwhile a number of columnists, commentators, and bloggers have already taken this World Cup to the garbage dump. Maybe it is premature either way given that we are only at the quarter final stage.

My first vivid memories of a World Cup was 1966 and here is how I would rate the past editions (best to worst):

1974 - Memories - The Dutch and Cruyff.

Outstanding games - Brazil vs. Scotland, Poland vs. Argentina, Netherlands vs. Argentina, West Germany vs. Sweden, West Germany vs. Netherlands.

1986 - Memories – Maradona, Peter Beardsley.

Outstanding games - Denmark vs. Uruguay, Denmark vs. Spain, England vs. Poland, Denmark vs. Spain, Argentina vs. England, Brazil vs. France, Argentina vs. W. Germany

1970 -  Memories – Brazil, Bobby Moore, Uwe Seeler, the first British TV panel of experts on ITV.

Outstanding games - England vs. Brazil, W. Germany vs. England, W. Germany vs. Italy, Brazil vs. Peru.

1982 – Memories – Northern Ireland, the French midfield, Paulo Rossi, Falcao.

 Outstanding games – England vs. France, Northern Ireland vs. Spain, Brazil vs. Scotland, Italy vs. Brazil, W. Germany vs. France.

1966 - Memories – North Koreans, Eusebio, Beckenbauer and Geoff Hurst.

Outstanding games W. Germany vs. Switzerland, Portugal vs. Hungary, Portugal vs. Brazil, North Korea vs. Italy, Portugal vs. North Korea, England vs. West Germany

2002 – Memories – South Korean fans, Oliver Kahn, and Ronaldo.

Outstanding games – France vs. Senegal, Senegal vs. Uruguay, Costa Rica vs. Brazil, Argentina vs. England, USA vs. Mexico, South Korea vs. Italy, England vs. Brazil.

1994 - Memories – Romario and George Haghi.

Outstanding games - USA vs. Colombia, Spain vs. South Korea, Nigeria vs. Bulgaria, Bulgaria vs. W. Germany.

 1998 – Memories – Laurent Blanc, Marcel Desaily, Dennis Bergkamp.

Outstanding games – Nigeria vs. Denmark, Argentina vs, England, Netherlands vs. Argentina, Brazil vs. Netherlands, France vs. Brazil.

1978 - Memories - Ossie Ardilles, Mario Kempes and Leopoldo Luque.

Outstanding games - Italy vs. France, Italy vs. Argentina, Sweden vs. Brazil, Netherlands vs. Scotland, Netherlands vs. Italy.

1990 – Cameroon and Group F (F for frigging awful, 7 goals in 6 games).

Outstanding games – W. Germany vs. Netherlands, Republic of Ireland vs. Romania, England vs. Cameroon.