FRANKFURT, June 22: Argentina and Netherlands cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw in World Cup Group C on Wednesday.

Twice former champions Argentina finished top on goal difference and will meet Mexico in Leipzig in the second round on Saturday. The Dutch, who also collected seven points, face Portugal in Nuremberg the day after.

“The aim has been achieved,” Argentina captain Roberto Ayala told reporters.

“The team is growing game by game. It made no difference (whether we played Mexico or Portugal). They are both rivals to be much respected.”

A tight, tactical battle only sprung to life on isolated occasions, mainly when Argentina threatened to score, having created the more chances.

After the two finalists from 1978 had weighed each other up for the opening quarter of an hour, the first shot on target came from the Dutch.

An error by right back Nicolas Burdisso let in winger Dirk Kuijt, who forced a leaping save from goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri with the unmarked Rafael van der Vaart screaming for a pass in the middle.

Minutes later Argentina strung together a long passing movement which ended with Carlos Tevez shooting narrowly wide of Edwin van der Sar's right-hand post.

The keeper, equalling the Dutch caps record of 112 held by Frank de Boer, had to act sharply to turn over Juan Roman Riquelme's inswinging corner.

Tevez then chased a low Riquelme free kick to the near post, forcing a quick intervention from defender Khalid Boulahrouz whose attempted clearance came back off the post.

With Argentina being forced back in the latter stages of the first half, Maxi Rodriguez had a shot from outside the box that shaved the diving Van der Sar's right-hand post.

Argentina's teenage winger Lionel Messi, in his first start in the finals, was restricted by close marking although he got in a shot in first-half stoppage time that went straight to Van der Sar.

Messi tried to spark the attack immediately after the interval but continued to be well shackled by the defence.

Tevez, with Riquelme prompting from midfield, provided the danger and brought a diving save from Van der Sar in the 73rd minute.

Rodriguez had another attempt at a long-range shot while Tevez shot over near the end.

Marco van Basten's Dutch substitutions brought added urgency to his team's attacks and a spate of corners in the final minutes.

“Argentina put us in a corner several times and that's when we had it tough,” said Van Basten. “In the second half we became a bit more dominant.

“Our organisation was good. If we can bring a bit more footballing quality, it may be time for us to start winning.”

Midfielder Philip Cocu made his 100th appearance for Netherlands.

Teams:

NETHERLANDS (4-3-3): 1-Edwin van der Sar; 2-Kew Jaliens, 3-Khalid Boulahrouz, 13-Andre Ooijer, 15-Tim de Cler; 20-Wesley Sneijder (16-Hedwiges Maduro 86), 10-Rafael van der Vaart 8-Philip Cocu; 7-Dirk Kuijt, 9-Ruud van Nistelrooy (21-Ryan Babel 56), 17-Robin van Persie (6-Denny Landzaat 67).

ARGENTINA (4-4-2): 1-Roberto Abbondanzieri; 21-Nicolas Burdisso (4-Fabricio Coloccini 4), 2-Roberto Ayala, 15-Gabriel Milito, 17-Leandro Cufre; 5-Esteban Cambiasso, 8-Javier Mascherano, 10-Juan Roman Riquelme (16-Pablo Aimar 79), 18-Maxi Rodriguez; 19-Lionel Messi (20-Julio Cruz 69), 11-Carlos Tevez

Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain).—Reuters

Group C standings