Argentina caretaker manager Sergio Batista is determined to see his side rain on Robbie Keane's parade tonight.

<notforsyndication>Follow Ireland v Argentina live on our RTÉ.ie/sport Match Tracker (k/o 7.45pm)</notforsyndication>

The Republic of Ireland captain and his country's all-time leading goalscorer with 43 will win his 100th cap in a prestigious friendly against the double World Cup winners.

The game also marks the first international in the Republic's new home, the £350million, 50,000-seater Aviva Stadium that has taken three years to construct.

But with Argentina eager to put their World Cup heartache behind them after losing 4-0 to Germany in a quarter-final just 40 days ago, hopes of a celebration may be crushed.

‘Whether it's a friendly or competitive game, a match with Ireland is always a tough challenge,’ said Batista, in temporary charge after the Argentinian Football Association opted not to renew Diego Maradona's contract.

‘So we are going into it as if it was a competitive international. I'm sure it is going to be a really serious game.’