Another striker tries the Golden Boot on for size, Greece avoid tragedy thanks to the help of a keeper’s blunder and impetuous kick and France fall limply at the feet of Mexico’s substitutes. Here’s the beef from Thursday’s events…

With Veron sidelined with a calf problem, Diego Maradona brought in Maxi Rodriguez in the only change to the lineup that beat Nigeria in the opening game. It was a 4-3-3 again then with Javier Mascherano anchoring in midfield in front of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín and Carlos Tevez; a fluid and potentially devastating front three. They were certainly too much for a South Korean side who were shown a chink of light after a concentration bypass by Bayern’s Martin Demichelis, only to have the door slammed in their face by the mercurial talents of Messi and the finishing of Madrid’s Higuaín.

The hat-trick sealed a massive 19 point haul for Higuaín, the biggest return in the McDonalds/FIFA game so far. Messi in contrast came in with a fairly modest 7 point return with just a single assist to show for his considerable efforts, along with 4 more attacking bonus points.

The error from Demichelis demonstrated frailty at the back that will surely be exploited by stronger sides. The hamstring injury suffered by Walter Samuel in this game won’t help matters. Despite concerns at the back, Argentina have a swagger that suggests that clean sheets aren’t on the agenda; they will simply set out to outscore their opponents no matter how many get fired past Romero in goal. Fantasy investment in Maradona’s squad must surely focus on attacking players then with Messi continuing to look irresistible. Surely his goals will come, although with qualification all but confirmed with yesterday’s win, there is a concern that he and the likes of Tevez will not see a full 90 minutes in the final game. This is us attempting to read Maradona’s mind though – that’s surely a dangerous game.

Elsewhere yesterday will be remembered for Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama leaving the field in tears following the 2-1 defeat to Greece, minutes after being announced as man of the match. Enyeama had indeed been outstanding to a point in the match; unfortunately that point was the moment he spooned a Alexandros Tziolis effort, gifting Vasileios Torosidis an easy winner. However, Sani Kaita’s ridiculous kick out and subsequent red card was surely more culpable for the Nigerian defeat.

In Fantasy terms the performance of Greek playmaker Giorgos Karagounis stands out. His impressive 7 attacking bonus points were somehow generated from 4 deliveries and dribbles into the Nigerian box – another example of the baffling bonus from the McDonalds/FIFA game. Karagounis was undoubtedly influential however and he will be vital if Greece are to go on and get a result against Argentina. Whether that’s enough to consider investment in the Panathinaikos man, or indeed any of his Greek teammates, is another matter.

France’s dismal failure against Mexico brought the curtain down on another day’s events and surely Raymond Domenech’s reign as French manager. While “les bleus” look destined for a group stage exit, we can now consider Mexico as genuine candidates for progression as they go into the final clash with Uruguay needing just a draw.

France, with Franck Ribery largely anonymous and Thierry Henry benched, failed to make an impression, taking almost an hour to fire in a first effort on goal, Mexico kept them contained and then swung the game in their favour with two substitutions. The lively interventions of Pablo Barrera on the right and United’s Javier Hernandez up front proved crucial and earned Mexico a deserved victory. Both will be well placed to play more part in Mexico’s continued progress although skipper Rafael Marquez, a defender playing in a midfield holding role, continues to standout as their main asset in Fantasy terms.