World Cup countdown: 50 days, Argentina moment number 38, Javier SAVIOLA

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As part of the 50 days, 50 Argentina World Cup moments, we will be counting down the top 50 Argentina moments at a World Cup using the daily number.

We are just 38 days until the start of the FIFA World Cup and in 38th place we have Javier SAVIOLA scoring in the 38th minute versus the Ivory Coast at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

It was Argentina’s opening match of the tournament in Germany 2006 and it was against World Cup debutant, Didier DROGBA’s Ivory Coast. A star studded Argentina team coached by Jose PEKERMAN who had managed many of the players from youth level. Argentina picked up a 2-1 win with Hernan CRESPO scoring the first, Javier SAVIOLA the second and Juan Roman RIQUELME assisting both.

Roberto AYALA had a goal disallowed early in the 14th minute after his header appeared (or not) to have crossed the line. Luckily for Argentina, a foul on Hernan CRESPO lead to an Argentina free kick. Up stepped RIQUELME who sent one into the Ivorian area and CRESPO was the first to pounce on the ball. Just like that it was 1-0 for the Albiceleste.

The second goal was pure genius by Juan Roman RIQUELME. An absolutely deadly pass in from Argentina’s number 10 lead SAVIOLA in one on one with the goalkeeper and SAVIOLA with the lightest of touches scored the second.

Here was Argentina’s starting XI for the match:

1. Roberto ABBONDANZIERI
2. Roberto AYALA
3. Juan Pablo SORIN
5. Esteban CAMBIASSO
6. Gabriel HEINZE
7. Javier SAVIOLA
8. Javier MASCHERANO
9. Hernan CRESPO
10. Juan Roman RIQUELME
18. Maxi RODRIGUEZ
21. Nicolas BURDISSO

If you missed it, here are our 50 World Cup moments:
50: Sergio ROMERO gets 50th cap vs. Switzerland at 2014 FIFA World Cup.
49: Roberto AYALA scores in the 49th minute vs. Germany at 2006 FIFA World Cup.
48: Angel DI MARIA’s 48th cap for Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina at 2014 FIFA World Cup.
47: Mario KEMPES scores Argentina’s 47th goal all time at the 1978 FIFA World Cup vs. Peru.
46: Jorge VALDANO scores in the 46th minute at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
45: Javier ZANETTI scores in the 45th minute vs. England at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
44: Gabriel BATISTUTA scores goal number 44 in his Argentina career at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
43: Gonzalo HIGUAIN receives cap number 43 for Argentina vs. Germany in the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
42: Pedro PASCULLI scores in the 42nd minute for Argentina vs. Uruguay at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
41: Maxi RODRÍGUEZ scores in the 41st minute for Argentina vs. Serbia & Montenegro at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
40: Roberto AYALA plays in his 40th match for Argentina vs. Jamaica at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
39: Pablo ZABALETA plays in his 39th match for Argentina vs. Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

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