BERLIN, June 22 (Xinhua) -- World Cup Group C, widely billed as Group of Death, produced no surprises as title favorites Argentina and the Netherlands cruised to the next stage after only two rounds of battle.
In Wednesday's last round, Argentina was held to a goalless tie with the Netherlands to top the group with seven points. The Dutch team, who collected the same points, finished second on goal difference.
African debutants Cote d'Ivoire, who lost 2-1 to both Argentina and the Netherlands, edged Serbia and Montenegro 3-2 to place third.
There was a common fact in all the three matches that the African team started to score only after conceding two goals. They showed great personal skills and attacking power in their World Cup tour but their weak defense cost them dear.
Serbia and Montenegro, who conceded only one goal in 10 qualifiers on their way to World Cup finals in Germany, were beaten by the Netherlands 1-0, Argentina 6-0 and Cote d'Ivoire 3-2.
Their solid defense in the qualifiers shone only in their first Group C match against the Dutchmen and was totally unraveled in the next two games.
Both Cote d'Ivoire and Serbian and Montenegro failed to spring surprises, upsetting fans who expected them to at least create troubles for hot favorites Argentina and the Netherlands.
