by Brendan Cole
RESULT: Ireland 0-1 Argentina
90 (+3) mins Massive scramble in the box, the ball pops up into the air as the keeper comes and misses and Keane tries an overhead but it is again scrambled clear.
The ref blows the final whistle soon after - an honourable defeat with a dubious goal the only thing separating Ireland from a draw.
90 (+1) mins Argentina break down the right but Lavezzi almost beats himself before skewing a cross out over the end line.
Treacy again goes past Zabaleta and another piece of obstruction ends his run.
Shay Given trots up into the box.
88 mins Huge chance for Keane! But Dimichelis comes from nowehre to deny him after Keogh's flick on put him through on the edge of the six yard box - hint of a push in the back as Keane went to strike but it is judged legal and an Irish corner is the result.
And the corner is headed out.
87 mins A poor effort again, not clearing the first man. Ireland get the ball back up quickly and Keogh little flick just flatfoots Keane - hint of a chance there.
But it's a free out soon after as Dunne fouls Banega.
Milito collapses to the ground, a fairly minor (honestly) looking kick to the stomach by Dunne seeing him fall over in a heap.
86 mins Treacy wins it back and McShane takes on Gutierrez down the right - that stepover deployed again, and a throw is won.
Eventually, a free is given as Gutierrez dragged the Irishman over.
Duff will take.
85 mins Mascherano is blown for a free this time, his tackle on Green misses the ball entirely inside the Irish half.
But again, Ireland give it away. Can the create another chance?
81-84 mins Argentina are gradually becoming a moderate Premier League side; Colocinni is in now, replacing Walter Samuel.
Green gives away a free in the middle, his tackle - which looked good - judged a little reckless. Argentina go back to pinging it around and eventually Insua crosses. It's cleared but Gibson gives it away soon after and it's back to more of the same.
80 mins Another cross from the left, this time from Cunnigham to Keane, gives another quarter chance but it is behind Keane and his first time effort skews high and out over the endline.
77-79 mins John O'Shea's long ball fails to connect with Keane; a touch overhit.
Ireland attack again though, and Treacy beats his man beautifully down the left, sidestepping Zabaleta and then playing a lovely ball for Keogh, but the chance goes just over as goalkeeper, striker and defender arrive at the same time at the near post.
A tricky finish, but Treacy showed real quality there.
75 mins A fierce shot from Gago after Dunne headed out a cross from the left almost catches Given out but he makes a good save in the end, first parrying and then collecting the loose ball.
Keith Fahey is coming off for Keith Treacy, making his debut (on a record night for Keiths everywhere?).
72-75 mins Generally, Duff and McShane have not really clicked on the right and another attempted move breaks down between the pair on a frustrating night for Duff.
Ireland almost play themselves into a good spot but Keane stumbles on the ball and Gibson's effort to get it going again with a through ball for Keogh is cut out.
Speaking of comedy, or novelty players at least, here comes Jonas Gutierrez......replacing Di Maria.
71 mins As I write, Ireland collect a long ball and a nice pass by McShane into Keane allows him to set up Duff who hits a shot; straight at the keeper unfortunately but Ireland showed intent there.
Emiliano Insua replaces comedy villain Heinze, who gets a nice 'boo' from the crowd.
69 mins Ireland's long ball efforts are quite working out with Argentina easily collecting the knock downs.
Hard to see where a chance will come from at the moment.
66 mins A nice pice of obstruction from Zabaleta blocks Fahey as he went by him. Free on the left, but Cunningham's long ball to the box is easily caught by the 'keeper.
Darron Gibson is coming on now, replacing Keith Andrews. Ireland need to pass better, and Gibson's shot could also come in handy.
65 mins Ireland are pressing more aggresively in the Argentine backfield now with Keogh able to run about a bit more. They win the ball eventually but a free kick is given as Dunne's challenge is judged too hard (and a bit from behind).
Back to the keep ball for Argentina......
64 mins Keogh tries to play Keane in at the near post as he gets the ball in a good spot on the right but Keane just failed to read his intention.
61-63 mins This time, Argentina can't clear easily and Keogh has a flash at an overhead off the first header popped up high in the air.
Ireland stay on the attack and Duff wins another free in a good position on the right soon after.
It's not his best though, and is easily headed out.
59 mins Half a chance for Keane and Keogh up front, both men succumb to desperate Argentine challenges inside the D, just as they were thinking about shooting.
The match is hotting up, Walter Samuel smashes into Paul McShane like a man who has been playing Ulster Championship all his life as enters the field after chasing a ball out.
McShane enjoys the clash, and the ref gives out.
An Argentine error gives Ireland another corner.
56 mins Keogh gets an early first touch down the left but his cross is blocked. Damien Duff wins a free in the middle, allowing Heinze to shove him over from behind.
Argentina make a change now, Messi departs with Ezequiel Lavezzi coming in.
The Irish stand to applaud the little man.
Straight after, Duff's cross goes wide, swooping across the Argentine box. There was no touch, but a corner is given, and Heinze gets a yellow card for some typical shouting at the ref behaviour.
The corner is cleared easily enough as O'Shea's flick on doesn't work out.
54 mins Heinze gets it on the left and and an error from McShane almost sees his cross squirt through.
It's been a torrid night for Kevin Kilbane and he sees another pass bounce of an Argentine, bringing to an end an Irish spell in possession.
Ireland bring on Andy Keogh and Greg Cunningham. 19-year-old Man City prospect Cunningham will mark Messi.
Cillian Sheridan and Kilbane depart.
52-53 mins An excellent interception by McShane ends another Argentine attack; Di Maria was almost in there.
John O'Shea then prevents Zabaleta's cross from reaching Milito.
50 mins Diego Milito is the new man up top for Argentina and his first action is to squander a great chance, his first touch letting him down as Messi's through ball found him just in behind the Irish defence.
A let-off for Ireland.
49 mins Ireland almost caught square again, Messi again called back for offside from Gago's pass. He was through there.
Another through ball for Keane just fails to run for him at the other end.
46-48 mins We're back in play. Ireland attack first, Andrews almost playing Keane in and Duff seeing a cross blocked.
Keane then gets it in the box and he fires in a lovely cross across the front of the Argentine goal but there is nobody there for it.
He showed lovely skills to make a fool of Dimichelis in the box and get to the byline but his cross was almost too good as Ireland's attackers held back for the expected cut back.
HALF-TIME: Ireland 0-1 Argentina
43-45 mins Ireland attack on the right next; Duff has moved out there and he almost picks out the charing McShane but he can't take the pass and the move ends.
Another long ball gives Messi a chance to run at Kilbane and he does just that.
Kilbane slides in and Messi refuses the chance to go down - big shout for a penalty if he had - opting for a cut back. That ricochets off an Irish defender and is scrambled clear; a let-off for Ireland.
That's it for the half, though Damien Duff continues to debate with referee Peter Rasmussen over that goal as the players troop off.
40-42 mins Hard work almost creates a chance for Keane; Ireland harry the Argentine's to produce a mistake in the right back area, but Fahey's through ball for Keane is cut out.
Messi is played in by Di Maria at the other end but his attempt to beat Dunne fails and a corner results.
Ireland easily head clear and do the same to Gago's follow up cross. Eventually, Argentina's attack ends with a foul by Higuain and the otherwise quiet Keith Andrews.
37-39 mins More fine ball keeping from Argentina, who are also progressing the ball from front to back very nicely. Heinze, Mascherano and Di Maria are all shining and Messi is becoming increasingly prominent.
Eventually, Messi, who is drifting into a central role, picks out Heinze with another ball in behind the right back, and he is inches offside, though Given did collect the pass in the end.
33-36 mins Messi is again free in the box after a long ball but he is blocked by three defenders.
Heinze and McShane clash on the Argentine left and the Argentina left back collapses in a heap as McShane's studs connect with his ankles.
All in all, the match has turned sluggish.
The camera picks out Michel Platini, an event which produces no reaction.
It then picks out Johnny Giles prompting a big cheer from the Irish crowd! No doubt they'd probably like to know what he makes of all this......
32 mins Argentina go for a short pass but work it back Messi and he tries a trademark curved shot to the left corner with his left foot from out on the right and it looks dangerous for a moment but Given has it marked and catched with ease.
29-31 mins Sheridan wins a throw for Ireland on the right and it results in two efforts by Duff to win frees; both waved away by the ref.
Argentina quickly create a chance at the other end and again they cross to a box packed with white and blue shirts. Dunne clears this time.
The next attack sees him give away a free for a heavy tackle on Lionel Messi. Entirely accidental, but a poor mistake.
26-28 mins Argentina have also settled down and are back to passing the ball around. Ireland are well able for it most of the time but another slide rule pass gets Di Maria to the byline and his cross is scrambled away.
Ireland can also keep the ball for spells but even then it is only in their own half and not particularly safe looking.
23 mins The crowd are none too pleased at this turn of events.......
Ireland continue playing and work a chance from a cross out on the left after good play by Kilbane, who tees up Duff.
But Duff's cross is a little high and Fahey can only glance it out over the right touchline.
GOAL - Ireland 0-1 Argentina (Di Maria 20)
20 mins Confusion reigns as Argentina score through Di Maria.
A goal kick is touched by Gonzalo Higuain, and then sweetly finished by Angel Di Maria who curves a shot in off the right hand post.
Ireland are furious and Robbie Keane and Shay Given lead the protests.
Higuain was in an offside position for the long ball but it was a goal kick so that's not the problem, but Di Maria was just ahead of Higuain after he touched it, and thus he was offside when he hit his shot.
A tight call, but it was offside.
18-19 mins Duff's corner is whipped into the six yard box but the referee's whistle blows as the ball comes down - Kevin Kilbane for shoving of some kind.
Argentina have been caught out when passing the ball around on the greasy surface from time to time with the odd miss control handing chance to Ireland.
A chance for Duff follows from just such an error, Heinze teeing the ball up fro Green, who found Duff in the middle but Duff, with two options on ends up with neither shot nor cross.
16-17 mins A chip over the top for Heinze ends with bodies in a heap as he slides for the ball but misses completely and lets Given collect. A touch might have been dangerous.
At the other end, Robbie Keane runs towards the left corner flag and with not much on wins a corner.
13-15 mins McShane is almost caught out as Mascherano finds Di Maria with a long ball on the left. The left back turns down a chance to put the ball out, allowing Di Maria to get past but the Argentine's shot is blocked.
Argentina are stretching Ireland with long balls to both wings.
12 mins Kilbane is again targetted with a high ball but he heads it out well.
Seconds later, Gago plays Messi through as Ireland get caught square on the right but he is just offside. Gago delayed too long there.
A long ball from Ireland yields a chance for Ireland as Sheridan flicks on to Keane but his shot is not struck well and rolls harmlessly wide from outside the box.
10-11 mins Ireland get a free on the left and halfway between the halfway line and the box but Keith Fahey's cross is easily collected by the keeper.
Ciaran (via e-mail): They won't do as well with their key players missing I expect a draw 1-1
7-9 mins Duff probes again up the right an tries to feed Keane but can't quite get his ball past the Argentine defenders.
Ireland are trying to retain the ball but Argentina are crowding them off it and claim the ball.
But Ireland force them to pass to the goalkeeper and he hoofs it downfield. But the danger is not over as Messi collects the second ball, beats a man with ease and tries an audacious chip over Given that floats high and wide.
5-6 mins Messi collects the ball in lots of space on the right as Ireland focus on keeping pressure on the man with the ball.
The crowd sucks in its breath as he skips past one man but his pass inside is intercepted.
An offside call against Duff as he picked up Kilbane's long ball inside the box puts an end to Ireland's reply.
4 mins A gallop down the right by Paul McShane, including a stepover (Ikidyounot) is Ireland's opening attacking gambit.
Argentina regroup though and Ireland can't get a cross in.
1-3 mins Argentina kick-off and start playing keep ball immediately. Ireland are tight and moving together in two banks of four as the Argentines stroke the ball around in familiar fashion.
Messi quickly opens Ireland up with a through ball to Higuain early on but the striker is forced wide and turns back.
The ball is fed to Di Maria and he tries a weak shot but Given saves easily.
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Shane Murray, of this parish, (via e-mail): What are the odds on McShane being the first to clear the new Havelock Square End with a shot or clearance? Come on Ireland.
1956 The never ending battle between people in the crowd and the TV directors who pick them out but hope they won't notice continues......
The old Iriish tradition of facing the flag for the anthem continues; at the Aviva, that means doing a 180 degree turn - it was a 90 degree turn at Lansdowne Road.
Kick-off in a minute or two.
1950 After a conference with Mrs Keane, Robbie has decided to keep Robbie Junior out there for the anthems.....
Carlos Tevez is listed on the Argentine bench but won't play due to tonsillitis.
Argentina anthem first.
Lorcan the Optimist (via e-mail): 3-2 Ireland......
1945 Here come the teams, Robbie Keane and Shay Given at the top of the line.
The Argentina team has been confirmed. As expected, Lionel Messi will start, while Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria will provide more attacking threat.
And it looks as though, in a repeat of the World Cup tactics, Javi Mascherano will be asked to do the work of two men in the anchor role in midfield, behind five men with attacking instincts.
Argentina XI: Romero; Burdisso, Demichelis, Samuel, Heinze; Mascherano; Gago, Banega, Messi, Di Maria; Higuain
1940 We have less than 10 minutes to kick-off now, though it may not quite take place on time. The dark clouds are clearing over most of South Dublin and it looks like the rain will hold off.
Robbie Keane junior, the mascot for the day, is ready to take the field, while the camera has picked out a 'Well done uncle Rob' flag up in the stands.
Nice.
Bobby Carpenter (via e-mail): 5-0 Argentina, bring the boys in green back to reality.
1850 The weather is clearing after one of those 'August Special' showers, and we may even have sunshine at the Aviva Stadium for the match.
The Republic of Ireland team has been confirmed.
Kevin Doyle has pulled after failing a fitness test, while Liam Lawrence withdrew after sustaining a groin injury on Tuesday. Aiden McGeady's trip to Spartak Moscow for serious talks about a move means he misses out.
That means Ireland will have a back four of McShane, Dunne, O'Shea and Kilbane, with Shay Given in goal.
Pretty old school.....
In the middle, it's Keith Fahey, Keith Andrews, Paul Green and Damien Duff.
Expect a disciplined approach if Trap's previous form is anything to go by, with Argentina boasting a host of running threats - though Carlos Tevez won't play.
Up front, Keane and Cillian Sheridan will try to provide a goalscoring threat. Sheridan, who played in last night's impressive Ireland U-21 victory over Estonia, is in for Doyle.
In a sign o'the times, Sheridan is also set for a move east, with Bulgaria's CSKA Sofia expected to secure the Cavan man's signature in the coming days.
Ireland team: Given (Manchester City), McShane (Hull City), Dunne (Aston Villa), O'Shea (Manchester United), Kilbane (Hull City), Fahey (Birmingham), Andrews (Blackburn Rovers), Green (Derby County), Duff (Fulham), Keane (Tottenham), Sheridan (Celtic).
1830 The weather has taken a turn for the worse, the manager is sick in bed, and the satellite is misbehaving........welcome to the RTÉ.ie/sport live tracker for Ireland v Argentina.
Fear not, a mild improvement in the weather will soon yield a better signal on the telly box, and Trap well, he'll be fine by all accounts (get well soon Trap!).
But who will Ireland fare without the Italians steely eyed histrionics on the sideline?
Can replacement Marco Tardelli inspire the boys in green to upset Argentina? Will the visitors play like their megastar reputations suggest they should, or will they continue in the vein of the World Cup flops we saw in South Africa?
And finally, can Ireland captain Robbie Keane crown his 100th cap with a 44th international goal?
Opinions to sportonline@rte.ie.......
