Argentina survived a late scare to see off Ivory Coast 2-1 in a gripping opening to Group C in Hamburg.
Javier Saviola then latched on to Juan Riquelme's exquisite throughball to flick in the second before the break.
Didier's Drogba low shot set up a frantic finale but the Ivorians were let down by some sloppy finishing.
Argentina coach Jose Peckerman said his players' spirit saw them through: "They gave us a hard time but we always knew this is the toughest group. But we are prepared for it.
"We have a great team spirit which will be key for us but we are realistic and must take things a game at a time."
Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin said: "I liked our attitude, we were always looking to be positive."
Sorin added: "We showed a very good attitude. We lacked some depth and there was some tiredness but the team worked fine. The first match was a key one to win."
Striker Hernan Crespo, who scored Argentina's opening goal, said: "A start like this is very good."
Ivory Coast coach Henri Michel insisted: "The players are disappointed but we should not focus on the negative.
"We should try to look at this match and analyse things and work with confidence so our scoring gets better."
Slack finishing up front and lapses in defensive concentration ultimately cost them in Hamburg, and Michel will look for improvement in their next match on Friday against Holland.
"Now we have to work on our strengths and hope we can do better against Netherlands," said Michel.
Didier's Drogba low shot set up a frantic finale but the Ivorians were let down by some sloppy finishing.
Argentina coach Jose Peckerman said his players' spirit saw them through: "They gave us a hard time but we always knew this is the toughest group. But we are prepared for it.
"We have a great team spirit which will be key for us but we are realistic and must take things a game at a time."
Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin said: "I liked our attitude, we were always looking to be positive."
Sorin added: "We showed a very good attitude. We lacked some depth and there was some tiredness but the team worked fine. The first match was a key one to win."
Striker Hernan Crespo, who scored Argentina's opening goal, said: "A start like this is very good."
Ivory Coast coach Henri Michel insisted: "The players are disappointed but we should not focus on the negative.
"We should try to look at this match and analyse things and work with confidence so our scoring gets better."
Slack finishing up front and lapses in defensive concentration ultimately cost them in Hamburg, and Michel will look for improvement in their next match on Friday against Holland.
"Now we have to work on our strengths and hope we can do better against Netherlands," said Michel.
