Maxi Rodriguez scored two goals and substitute Lionel Messi added another, leading Argentina to a 6-0 victory over Serbia-Montenegro in Group C on Friday.
Esteban Cambiasso also scored in the first half, while Hernan Crespo made it 4-0 in the 78th and Carlos Tevez added another minutes later.
The victory meant two-time champion Argentina, which opened with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, would reach the second round if the Netherlands beat or draw with the Ivorians later on Friday. Serbia has been eliminated.
The first two goals were masterpieces.
With Diego Maradona cheering in the stands, Argentina got off to a perfect start with Rodriguez scoring in the sixth minute. He finished off his shot at the end of perfect passes down the left side from captain Juan Pablo Sorin and Javier Saviola.
Argentina made it 2-0 in the 31st, a classic goal by Cambiasso, who entered in the 17th for the injured Luis Gonzalez. Argentina held possession with a string of two dozen passes. At the finish, Saviola found Cambiasso, who found Crespo, who back-heeled the ball for Cambiasso's left-footed finish.
Rodriquez's second involved more grit than guile.
{{/usCountry}}Rodriquez's second involved more grit than guile.
{{/usCountry}}Saviola stole the ball in the right corner and then took a shot breaking for the net. Serbia goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevric made a sprawling save, but the ball rebounded off the post to his right, with Rodriguez slipping in the shot in the 41st.