Dimichelis 77

                                                                                             Palermo 89

Argentina set up a repeat of their classic last-16 meeting against Mexico in the 2006 World Cup with this hard-earned win against unambitious Greece.

With star player Lionel Messi vigorously man-marked, Diego Maradona’s understrength Albiceleste waited 77 minutes to make the breakthrough.

Central defender Martin Dimichelis’s emphatic close-range finish was followed by a wildly celebrated strike by veteran substitute Martin Palermo, one of Maradona’s most controversial tournament selections.

Greek keeper Alexandros Tzorvas made a series of first-half saves, while Sergio Aguero was also denied by a last-ditch block from Loukas Vyntra.

Georgios Samaras passed up a golden opportunity to put Greece ahead after half-time when he shot across goal with Argentine keeper Sergio Romero beaten.

Dimichelis broke the deadlock, lashing the ball home after his header rebounded off team-mate Diego Milito. Messi crashed a shot against the post before Palermo side-footed the ball home after another Messi effort was saved.