Already one of the pre-tournament favourites, Daniel Passarrella's side further enhanced their reputation in the last of the groups, winning all three games and qualifying as winners without so much as conceding a goal.

The fact that the group's two finals first-timers, Japan and Jamaica, turned out to be distinctly lightweight was, of course, partly responsible for the achievement, while Croatia looked happy to settle for second place when the two qualifiers faced each other in Bordeaux.

As for the also-rans, well, they did what just about everybody other than their own coaches said they would, which was entertain the crowds while being out-classed and falling victim to their own lack of experience.

Batistuta and Ortega celebrate one of their first round goals.