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Argentina opened their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought victory despite a superb effort throughout from the Ivory Coast.
The South American side thought they had taken the lead in the early exchanges when Roberto Ayala's powerful header appeared to cross the goal-line, but Ivory Coast goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie was adjudged to have clawed the ball out in time.
However, it didn't take long for Argentina to render that incident irrelevant, Hernan Crespo stabbing home from close range on 24 minutes after a well-flighted Juan Roman Riquelme free-kick had caused confusion in the Ivorian defence.
The Africans carved out two excellent chances to equalise, but squandered them both. Bonaventure Kalou put a shot wide when well placed, and Abdul Keita headed weakly at goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri after a superb knockdown from Didier Drogba.
Argentina made their opponents pay for their profligacy on 38 minutes, when Javier Saviola converted a sublime slide-rule pass from Riquelme.
The Ivory Coast refused to give up, and they played at a lung-busting pace throughout the second half, pressing and harrying the Argentines to win the ball, and then using possession intelligently.
After substitute Bakary Kone had wasted two good opportunities, the Ivory Coast gave themselves a lifeline when Drogba scored a superb goal on the turn with 10 minutes remaining. However, Jose Pekerman's side held out well, and secured an early lead in the group