By Chris O'Brien
June 18 2006

Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored twice as the Netherlands secured their passage to the second stage of the World Cup with a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast. However, the headlines will be taken by Argentina's 6-0 drubbing of Serbia & Montenegro. Mexico later battled out a stalemate with Angola.

Gabriel Heinze's Argentina have taken the plaudits following a 6-0 drubbing of Serbia & Montenegro. The result secures the South American's progression to the second round and has seen their odds for glory slashed following a superb display of passing football that will strike fear into all of the other competing nations.

Maxi Rodriguez netted twice, with Esteban Cambiasso, Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi all amongst the scores in a completely one-sided affair. Mateja Kezman was sent-off for Serbia & Montenegro, who have been eliminated following this defeat. They have clearly missed United defender Nemanja Vidic, who has missed the tournament through injury.

The 'Group of Death' promises so many surprises, but it will be the Netherlands who join Argentina in the second round following their narrow win over the Ivory Coast. The Dutch, fielding their attacking 4-3-3 formation, had United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy to thank for the victory as he netted twice before the interval. Bakari Kone levelled up on 38 minutes to keep the game alive, but it was the men in orange who prevailed after a nervy second-half yielded no further goals.

In the evening kick-off, Mexico saw their chances of progressing from 'Group D' severely weakened with an unexpected 0-0 draw against a plucky 10-man Angola. The South Americans dominated the game for long periods, but could not find a way passed man of the match goalkeeper Joao Ricardo, and even the 79th-minute dismissal of Andre Macanga did not help their cause. The result means Mexico may need to secure a positive result against the Portuguese to secure a safe passage into the knock-out phase.