If Nigeria are hoping that Lionel Messi might destroy the Greeks and give them a chance of sneaking through into the knockout stages, they may be disappointed. With qualification certain, Diego Maradona is likely to rest key players and that may include the world’s best footballer. Jonas Gutierrez is suspended and a more conventional right-back in the shape of Nicolas Otamendi is likely to be drafted in. Walter Samuel, who picked up a slight injury in training, may also miss out and be replaced by Nicolas Burdisso.

Greece are fortunate to still be in with a chance of qualification. If Kaita had not been dismissed in Bloemfontein, it is unlikely Greece, then 1-0 down, would have pressed on to record their first victory in a World Cup. However, the pressure will be very much on the shoulders of Otto Rehhagel’s men in what might be the final game of his extraordinary nine-year reign as Greece manager.

Argentina may field a weakened team but as Georgios Samaras pointed out laconically, if Messi and Tevez don’t play, then Aguero and Milito will. They will be hungry strikers desperate to impress Maradona and that fact alone might play into Rehhagel’s hands since his plan is always to defend, soak up pressure and then hit his opponents on the counter. There will be a lot of pressure to soak up and logic dictates that Argentina have simply too much firepower. Verdict: Argentina to win.