Jose Pekerman has resigned as Argentina coach following the penalty shoot-out defeat to Germany in the quarter-final of the World Cup.

MICHAEL BALLACK believes Germany have a “60-40” chance of beating Argentina in their World Cup quarter-final clash today.

Marco van Basten tonight described Argentina as playing “Top of the Pops” football.

HERE’S a scary thought: Despite Argentina’s 6-0 romp over Serbia-Montenegro, midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme figures the two-time champions need to get better.

LUIS GONZALEZ knows what is expected of him when he makes his World Cup bow for Argentina — a tough double shift.

Uncapped Independiente goalkeeper Oscar Ustari has beaten River Plate’s German Lux to the third goalkeeping berth in Argentina’s World Cup squad but the omission of Internazionale defender Javier Zanetti and Bayern Munich midfielder Martin Demichelis is the biggest talking point.

Diego Maradona believes he has a chance of coaching Argentina if Jose Pekerman does not lead them them to World Cup glory this summer in Germany.

Hernan Crespo's future at Stamford Bridge is looking more troubled than ever after the striker reportedly ignored a request to return to Chelsea to get treatment on his injured calf.

Brazil 4 Argentina 1

Manchester United full-back Gabriel Heinze has been named in a 26-man Argentina squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Brazil.

BOLIVIA and Venezuela will open a new round of the South American World Cup qualifiers tonight, while Argentina and Brazil will both be in action tomorrow looking to go a step closer to booking their place at Germany 2006.

Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze is set for a transatlantic trip next month after being selected for Argentina’s World Cup qualifying games against Uruguay and Chile.

Carlos Bianchi has rejected an offer to take over as Argentina boss and Jose Pekerman is now the favourite to succeed Marcelo Bielsa.

Sunderland misfit Nicolas Medina has been farmed out to Spanish Second Division outfit Leganes on a year-long loan deal.