Centurion Keane Powerless As Argentina Cruise to Win

What great delight for the 50,000-strong Ireland fans arriving at the new beautiful Aviva stadium at Lansdowne Road.

Living legend Robbie Keane celebrating his 100^th cap and the world’s greatest player Lionel Messi starting for the Argentines.

Both teams made changes to their regular squads due to injury, especially newly Maradona-less Argentina.

Interim manager, Sergio Batista, included well-known names that many fans and pundits believed should have been in South Africa, most notably Ever Banega, Fernando Gago, and Pablo Zabaleta.

As well as changing personnel, Batista made a change to the formation, playing 4-3-3 with captain Javier Mascherano being helped in midfield by Banega and Gago. Up front saw Messi play wide right, Angel Di Mariá left and Gonzalo Higuaín alone up front.

The new system saw Messi drift inwards to support Higuain and width supplied from right full-back in the shape of Nicolás Burdisso.

Gabriel Heinze from left full back, Banega and Gago were all given licence to push forwards and distract defenders, enabling Messi to run the show, to which he promptly obliged.

Ireland could not get close to the Barcelona star from the first minute until the 60^th, when he was subbed and graciously applauded by every fan on the grounds. But he played no part in the only goal of the game.

A long punt up the field by AZ keeper, Sergio Romero, found its way to Higuaín, who played in Di Mariá to chip the ball over Shay Given. It was a controversial strike as it was clear on replays that Di Mariá was a yard offside when given the ball. 

Both prior to and after the goal, Ireland was chasing shadows. At the quarter point, Argentina’s 70 percent possession figure hardly fluctuated before the final whistle.

Although possession remained high, a cutting edge was missing. It was left to Messi to create the key to open the lock.

It was clear early on that the Irish were being outclassed and their only sniff at a goal came late in the second period through Robbie Keane and Damien Duff.

The problem laid in Ireland’s ability to retain the ball. Argentina caressed the ball around with love and held it like a newborn. Ireland played with it like a hot potato.

It was difficult for them to put together 10-15 passes before the ball was given away without creating a chance or even posing a threat.

Entranced with the way Banega (who was hugely impressive) and co. held possession and kept play moving with slick, one and two-touch passing, Ireland was just too tired to do anything with it once they had it. It was a pure footballing lesson at times and excellent to watch.

The Republic Of Ireland has nothing to be ashamed of with this defeat. With Giovanni Trapattoni recovering and players to come back into the fold, Robbie Keane and his men will be a better side because of this.

Argentina will be pleased to get off to a winning way after being pummelled in the World Cup. Sergio Batista did his case little harm on this performance, solid but lacking potency.

Hosting the 2011 Copa America and taking the title will be no easy task and without a permanent manager in place the AFA could not ask for much more.