Javier Mascherano skippered Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in their World Cup opener on Saturday.
The Liverpool man was at his destructive best in the middle of the park as a Gabriel Heinze header sealed a Group B win.
Maxi Rodriguez was introduced for the final 20 minutes in what was an impressive showing from the South Americans.
Diego Maradona was able to field attacking talent such as Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi, but it was former Manchester United full-back Heinze who opened the scoring on six minutes with a diving header from Juan Sebastian Veron's corner.
Higuain missed two sitters during an entertaining first-half, while man-of-the-match Messi brought two world-class saves from Nigeria stopper Vincent Enyeama.
Argentina were scintillating going forward, but they at times looked vulnerable at the back and could have conceded on 28 minutes when Chinedu Obasi was fed through only to drag wide.
The game was nearly put beyond the African side's reach just after the restart when Messi - who at times looked unplayable - ghosted past his man before jabbing Veron's superb cross wide.
Maradona's superstars should have doubled their advantage on 65 minutes when Messi planted the wrong side of the post after four Argentina attackers were left with just two defenders to beat. Seconds later Higuain again missed a chance to get his name on the scoresheet when he fired too close to Enyeama.
While ever Argentina failed to kill the game off there was always a chance of an equaliser and it almost came on 71 minutes when Taiye Taiwo whistled wide from distance.
Ten minutes later Kalu Uche had a full sight of goal but volleyed over from 12 yards.
The final opportunity for Argentina followed a Messi one-two on the edge of the area before the little maestro was denied by the goalkeeper's legs.
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