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Argentina, S Korea enter knockouts

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POLOKWANE, South Africa, June 23: Martin Demichelis and Martin Palermo scored second-half goals to help Argentina beat Greece 2-0 at the World Cup and earn first place in Group B.



Argentina will play Mexico in the round of 16, while Greece has been eliminated.[break]



Argentina left seven regular starters on the bench and created few good chances against the Greek defense.



Lionel Messi was given the captain´s armband for the first time, making him the youngest Argentina captain ever at 22.



Meanwhile, South Korea came back from an early deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with Nigeria in Group B on Tuesday and book their spot in the Round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup.



In the first World Cup matchup between these two teams, Kalu Uche gave the two-time African champions the lead in the 12th minute before Lee Jung Soo equalised in the 38th. Park Chu Young made it 2-1 for the Asians in the 49th at Durban Stadium and Yakubu Ayegbeni knotted the game again with a penalty in the 69th minute.



After Greece lost 2-0 against Argentina, South Korea finished in second place with four points to advance to the Round of 16 for the second time in history following their semi-final run at the 2002 World Cup at home. The Asians´ next opponent will be Group A winners Uruguay.



Nigeria, who reached the second round in 1994 and 1998, finished last in the Group B with one point. The Super Eagles have not won in their last eight World Cup matches since a 1-0 victory over Bulgaria at France 1998.



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