Argentina is making its 15th World Cup appearance in 2010 and has been a part of every World Cup since 1974. It won the championship in 1978 and 1986, and finished as the runners-up in 1930 and 1990. Diego Maradona was the star of the 1986 team, recording five goals - including his infamous Hand of God goal against England - and five assists. Later in the same game against England, "El Diego" scored one of the most famous goals in World Cup history that became known as the "Goal of the Century". Maradona picked the ball up in his own half and dribble past nearly half the English team before scoring. In the 1986 final, Argentina defeated West Germany, 3-2. http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2010/world-cup-team-history-argentina-part-ii-1986-2006.html<ref>

Given its illustrious history, Argentina can never be discounted but it might be the most enigmatic of all the 32 teams that qualified for the 2010 World Cup. Despite a talented roster that features FIFA World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi, the Argentinians won only eight of their 18 World Cup qualifying matches and finished fourth in South American qualifying. CONMEBOL. The 22-year-old Messi, nicknamed "the flea" -- La Pulga - led Barcelona to a record-breaking six titles in 2009, including the UEFA Champions League, the Club World Cup and Spain's La Liga, but he has not been nearly as effective for the national team. Diego Maradona, in his second year as the team's manager, has struggled to find the right combination. At the end of 2009, he had used 72 players in 15 matches. Eighth in the FIFA rankings, Argentina remains a threat and is listed at 9-1 odds to win it all. Liverpool star Javier Mascherano is the team captain while Sergio Agüero, Carlos Tévez and Diego Milito are other big name players to watch. Argentina is in Group B with Nigeria, South Korea and Greece. The teams play a round robin within the group with the top two finishers advancing to the next. Argentina's first two games -- against Nigera on June 12 and South Korea on June 17 - are in Johannesburg. It concludes first-round play June 22 against in Polokwane. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/01/26/wcup.argentina/index.html