When most people think of Argentina and their FIFA World Cup achievements the first name that comes to mind is the immortal Diego Maradona and his glittering, if often controversial performances on the world soccer stage in the eighties. That dazzling run ended in 1994 when he was sent home from the USA in disgrace after failing a drug test during the group phase.

Only one team has qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup by right and that is the host South Africa. Even current holders Italy had to undergo the qualification process and although the hosts will undoubtedly put on a show, according to the experts their team is extremely unlikely to progress beyond the group stage [...]