2010 FIFA World Cup Report Card: Argentina

Sergio Romero: F

The AZ Alkmaar keeper was a hero for Argentina at both the Under 20 and Under 23 levels, winning the World Youth Championships in 2007 and Olympic Gold Medal in 2008, but for the senior side he seemed a bit out of his depth.

Through the first few games, Romero was hardly tested, but looked less than convincing in the little work he had to do.

Once the knock out rounds began, Romero seemed to freeze under the pressure. He was completely out of sorts during the Round of 16 against Mexico and was lucky not to concede twice early in the match.

Later on, he was unable to cover his near post for Chicharito Hernandez's consolation goal.

Against Germany, Romero was clearly nervous and indecisive, particularly on Thomas Muller’s opener after just two minutes.

He cannot be blamed outright for any of the other three goals, but his positioning was poor and he was unable to make key saves when his country needed him the most.

Before the World Cup, many pundits and fans felt Romero would be Argentina's No. 1 for the next 10 years, but after his performance in South Africa, there are no guarantees that Romero will continue as Argentina's starting shot-stopper.

Gabriel Heinze: C+

Heinze began the tournament on fire, scoring his country’s only goal in its victory over Nigeria before putting in a very successful shift against South Korea.

In the Round of 16 tie with Mexico, Heinze was arguably Argentina’s best player, making two key goal-line clearances to help preserve Argentina’s lead. It was a truly gutsy performance.

Unfortunately for Heinze, he looked very ordinary against Germany and was caught out numerous times and spent more time diving trying to win free kicks than defending the lethal German counter-attack.

The former Real Madrid man was particularly at fault on the fourth German goal when his sliced effort gifted a break away.

It is a shame for El Gringo that all his good work was wiped away with one poor performance, but this is life at the World Cup. If you don’t show up in the elimination matches, no one will remember the earlier rounds.

Martin Demichelis: F

Demichelis was a liability from day one and unfortunately things got continuously worse as the tournament progressed.

His first major collapse was an error that allowed South Korea to get back into the match right before halftime after failing to threaten Argentina once in the opening 45 minutes.

Against Greece, Michu was surprisingly made to look slow by Samaras, who gave him a few nervy moments, and although he did grab a goal to raise his confidence, there were many who felt the ex-River man should be benched in favor of Walter Samuel.

Maradona kept faith with Demichelis who was run ragged by Javier “El Chicharito” Hernandez as the Manchester United signing skipped past him to score Mexico’s goal.

Although it was the only goal surrendered, Demichelis was consistently out of position throughout the match, and was lucky for his teammates, such as Heinze, who made up for his errors.

Against Germany, Demichelis actually improved slightly in the first half, but was part of the collapse that saw the Germans hit three goals in the final half hour. It was certainly one to forget for the Bayern man playing his mates.

Javier Mascherano: A

The Liverpool midfielder was the heart and soul of his side and put in an admirable performance.

As manager Diego Maradona left Mascherano completely exposed in the knockout rounds with his overly offensive formation, the ex-River star was the only Argentina midfielder with any defensive responsibility.

After a sensation effort against Nigeria and South Korea, Masche was left badly outnumbered against Mexico, but fought tooth and nail to recover the ball and keep tabs on Giovanni Dos Santos and Andres Guardado.

While Argentina crumbled down the stretch against the Germans, Mascherano seemed to be the only Argentine player who had defended in his life, and thank god he did or it could have been even worse than the 4-0 score-line.

At 26, Mascherano should be back in 2014 and possibly even 2018, and whoever takes Argentina forward starting at the 2011 Copa America, will need to build the squad around El Jefecito with the likes of Ever Banega, Fernando Gago, and Javier Pastore.

It is unfair to expect Mascherano to continue having to battle against three or four other midfielder players single handedly as he was forced to do in South Africa, especially in Cape Town Saturday.

Angel Di Maria: D

Di Maria was tipped by many Argentine fans and pundits to be a breakout performer in South Africa, but the Olympic hero from 2008 was largely an anonymous figure throughout Argentina’s five games.

A poor opening game against Nigeria, in which the 22 year old clearly felt the pressure of his first World Cup, set the tone for Di Maria’s World Cup.

After being the best player in Argentina’s recent friendly matches against Germany and Canada and being voted the Best Player in the Portuguese League, Di Maria was nervous and tentative.

Argentina supporters will also be angry with the player after he was involved with his contract negotiations with Real Madrid, a matter that should have waited until after the Cup.

It was clearly weighing on his mind, and although was arguably Argentina’s most lively player against Germany, he was still nowhere near the level he has shown in the past, and the former Rosario Central winger will feel lucky to have signed his big-money deal when he did, because he did not look like a 25 million-Euro player during the World Cup.

Lionel Messi: C+

Calling Messi’s World Cup a disaster, as some are claiming it was, is a bit harsh, but there is no doubt that the Barcelona man came far from meeting the expectations his country had for him.

After a bright start that featured a great understanding with Juan Sebastian Veron, Diego Maradona had a reported falling out with the Estudiantes captain, leaving Messi to act as a playmaker, a role he has almost never played for club or country.

Sadly, the world’s most lethal finisher, found himself deep in midfield, often coming beyond the center circle to receive the ball.

Messi’s effort is certainly not under question either, but there will be a feeling of regret.

Had Vincent Enyeama not made a series of brilliant saves in Argentina’s first match, the whole World Cup may have turned out differently, but as it was, the ex-Newell’s Old Boys youth player finished the tournament with the most shots but without a single goal.

Perhaps even more troubling for Argentina is the pressure placed on those who wear the 10 shirt for La Seleccion. The last time a number 10 netted a goal for Argentina was when Ariel Ortega bagged a brace against Jamaica during Argentina’s second group match at France 1998.

Diego Maradona: F

Maradona got it completely wrong against Germany; there is no other way to look at it. Even in his side’s relative dominance during the first four games, the midfield was weak and the defense appeared slow and exposed without much cover.

El Diez escaped during a 3-1 victory against Mexico, a very flattering score line for Argentina, Maradona played with three forwards and two wingers, leaving Javier Mascherano completely exposed in central midfield and youngster Nicolas Otamendi, normally a centerback, isolated out wide at right back.

Argentina was lucky not to concede a few more goals, and Maradona ignored the warning signs, throwing out the same line up again in the quarterfinal against Germany.

It was certainly a game where Juan Sebastian Veron could have helped Argentina control the ball and provide defensive cover in midfield, but there was apparently a falling out between the former teammates and La Brujita was left out.

Walter Samuel, who was clearly fit, is believed to have sided with Veron in his dispute with Maradona, and was on the bench while Demichelis was out of sorts against both Mexico and Germany.

The poor play from Otamendi against the Germans simply highlights how much Javier Zanetti was missed in South Africa.