Holland: Van der Sar, Jaliens, Oijer, Boulahrouz, De Cler, Van der Vaart, Cocu, Sneijder (Maduro 85), Kuyt, Van Nistelrooy (Babel 56), Van Persie (Landzaat 67).

Argentina: Abbondanzieri, Burdisso (Coloccini 24), Ayala, Milito, Cufre, Mascherano, Cambiasso, Riquelme (Aimar 79), Messi (Cruz 69), Tevez, Rodriguez.

This was a particularly anticipated match but with both sides having already qualified neither side went that extra yard to try and secure victory. The match was generally interesting but seldom thrilling.

The Dutch started the game with some composed possession but the first threat was posed by Argentina. A quality ball out of defence by Milito into Tevez started the move. The squat centre forward showed his strength and turning ability to feed Messi and his ball seemed to have sent Cambiasso running through on goal. Boulahrouz produced a superb recovery challenge to deny him, however.

Next it was Rodriguez and Riquelme combining to find Tevez whose shot was not far wide of the far post.

There was a sudden opening at the other end when Kuyt robbed Burdisso close to the goalline. His colleagues were screaming for a pass but Kuyt went for the near post and Abbondanzieri pushed the ball behind. In fairness to Kuyt the passing options seemed to be covered.

Van der Sar had to react smartly to tip Riquelme's swinging corner over the bar before a forwards challenge by Kuyt gifted Argentina a free kick close to the left hand angle of the penalty area.

Riquelme belted this in low to the near post and Boulahrouz got a foot to the ball at full stretch and was happy to see it rebound to safety from the post.

Moments later Rodriguez caught hold of a half volley perfectly but saw it fizz inches wide with Van der Sar watching.

The passing and movement of Argentina was once again catching the eye and the strength and pace of their diminutive forwards was particularly impressive.

Messi sent a fine ball inside the full back for Rodriguez but he could only find the side netting as he ran out of angle and then Messi went himself to shoot after a swift break but could only send his shot straight at the keeper from 25 yards.

Without hitting top gear Argentina had certainly had the better of the first half.

Half Time: Holland 0 Argentina 0

The second half was more even with Holland probably shading it. Although their passing and control of midfield would improve, however, there was little sign of life from the Dutch forwards to trouble the Argentina defence.

Messi and Riquelme linked well in a close passing exchange and Riquelme was very close with his low cross shot. Rodriguez also had a chance after sloppy control by De Cler allowed him into the box but his shot was too high.

The Dutch ended a spell of Argentinian pressure with some composed passing through the midfield and began to pose some problems of their own.

Babel, Kuyt and Van der Vaart linked to take the ball deep into the Argentine penalty area where Cocu lashed a shot at the near post. Abbondanzieri shovelled the ball behind for a corner.

Another sweet movement allowed Cocu to swing in another shot but this one passed wide of the far post.

Tevez produced a sudden explosion and Van der Sar had to make a good save diving to his left to keep out the powerful shot but Holland were increasingly in control.

De Cler emphasised this by getting forward with increasing regularity and he sent over one excellent centre which was cleared superbly by Milito under intense pressure.

Van der Vaart sent in a free kick that was a couple of yards wide but it would scarcely have troubled the keeper had it been on target.

There was one last chance at either end. Kuyt, generally disappointing, sent over a lovely cross but Cocu was just not quite gambling heavily enough and couldn't get there and then Cruz flicked on a long ball forward to send Tevez ferreting into the box.

He got half a yard and lashed a shot just over the angle with Van der Sar beaten.

Both sides will be happy enough with the point and will be hoping to stay in the tournament right to the death. Argentina look to have the greater all round strength but the Dutch look a side who will be tough to beat.

Full Time: Holland 0 Argentina 0

Holland: Van der Sar 6, Jaliens 6, Ooijer 7, Boulahrouz 9, De Cler 7, Van der Vaart 6, Cocu 7, Sneijder 6, Kuyt 5, Van Nistelrooy 5 (Babel 6), Van Persie 4 (Landzaat 7).

Argentina: Abbondanzieri 5, Burdisso 5 (Coloccini 6), Ayala 7, Milito 8, Cufre 6, Mascherano 6, Cambiasso 6, Riquelme 7 (Aimar 6), Messi 6 (Cruz 5), Tevez 8, Rodriguez 7.

Referee: L.Cantalejo (Spain) 6
Not a lot to do really but should surely have found time to book Van Persie for a string of fouls.

Good:
With a lot of attacking talent on view both defences kept it very tight. I'm not sure there was a real will to win this one, however.

Bad:
Not the classic that had been hoped for but that was asking a bit much in a game with little really at stake.

Ugly:
Mascerano has borrowed Esther Rantzen's teeth but Tevez is the real dog of the side.
He looks a little bit like a werewolf and reminds me of Mutley off the Wacky Races. He's also got about as much of a neck as Gladstone Small.
Not the most fortunate of combinations. He's a quality player, however.