FRANKFURT, Germany _ Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi both got the start they wanted.

Only the goals were missing in the first World Cup start for the promising strikers.

Argentina's Lionel Messi walks on the pitch during their Group C World Cup 2006 soccer match against the Netherlands in Frankfurt June 21, 2006. [Reuters]

With Argentina's two regular forwards resting with yellow cards _ Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola _ Argentina's young guns had a dozen half chances, and a few full chances, to score.

But neither 18-year-old Messi nor 22-year-old Tevez could produce in Argentina's 0-0 draw Wednesday with the Netherlands, a game that was only played for pride with both teams already assured of a place in the knockout stage.

In World Cup play, the Netherlands has won two, lost one and drawn one with Argentina.

"The only thing we lacked were goals," said Tevez, who played the entire match. "We did everything right and for some reason we were unable to score."

At least European fans, who seldom see Tevez since he plays for Brazil champions Corinthians, saw why he may soon be playing on the Old Continent.

In the 73rd minute, Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar made a diving save to his left on Tevez's blistering 25-meter (yard) shot. With only 15 seconds to play in the match, the stocky-built, bull-like striker almost won it when his close-in shot sailed just over the crossbar.

No goals, but he was still voted player of the game and slightly overshadowed FC Barcelona's more famous Messi.

"I feel really good about that honor, but you always want to play in game in which Argentina wins," Tevez said.

The draw left Argentina atop the World Cup's toughest group, putting it into a round of 16 game on Saturday against Mexico in Leipzig. The Dutch play on Sunday against Portugal in Nuremberg.

Both Argentina and the Dutch finished with seven points, but the South Americans won Group C with a better goal difference. Ivory Coast and Serbia-Montenegro were eliminated several days ago when they both lost.

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