POLOKWANE, South Africa (AP) — Argentina could become the first team at the World Cup to wrap up three victories if they beat Greece today — though a draw would be enough for the two-time world champions to advance to the last 16 from Group B.

Argentina have so far underlined their status as one of the tournament’s biggest favourites, outscoring their opponents 5-1 so far.

Coach Diego Maradona said yesterday he intended to leave captain Javier Mascherano and key strikers Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain out of the starting line-up against Greece.

Higuain was mainly invisible in Argentina’s opener but had a hat trick in the team’s 4-1 win over South Korea on Thursday. He was likely to be replaced by Inter Milan striker Diego Milito.

However, Maradona confirmed Lionel Messi and Juan Sebastian Veron as starters against Greece.

Veron was kept sidelined in the South Korea match after picking up a right-calf injury during the team’s 1-0 win over Nigeria.

“We can all be happy,” Maradona said. “Two games, two wins — and the way we achieved them.”

Greece might need a helping hand from Nigeria if they advance, unless they earn an unlikely three-goal victory over Argentina.

Greece could scrape through on a smaller win or even a draw, but it then depends on Nigeria to get a favourable result against South Korea in Durban.

The 2004 European champions lost their opening game to South Korea 2-0, then rallied to beat Nigeria 2-1 for their first ever World Cup win, points and goals. They’re now hoping to keep their momentum going.

Forward Pantelis Kapetanos called all the Argentina players “exceptional,” but believed Greece have a chance of beating them.

“It’s also up to us. If we play well, we can make it,” Kapetanos said. “If we stay concentrated for the entire 90 minutes, I believe the match can be won.”

Kapetanos acknowledged the depth of the Argentina squad, saying “they have 22 fantastic players and Messi, who is one step higher in quality — the best player in the world”.

Greece were expected to rely on their well-known defensive tactics to stop the opponent’s dazzling attack, even if Tevez and Higuain were to be excluded from the starting 11.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel will have defender Vassilis Torosidis and captain Giorgos Karagounis at his disposal as both players resumed normal training Sunday after picking up knocks in the Nigeria game.