FRANKFURT, June 21 - Multiple team changes, a determination not to lose and qualification already assured added up to stalemate between Argentina and the Netherlands on Wednesday.

A game that promised so much when the draw for the finals was made last year failed to live up to its billing, greeted by a chorus of whistles at the end, particularly by the unusually subdued Dutch supporters.

The serious business of the knockout rounds now begins. Argentina, who took top spot in Group C on goal difference, go on to face Mexico in Leipzig on Saturday while the Netherlands will face Group D winners Portugal a day later in Nuremberg.

There were still positives to be taken for respective coaches Marco van Basten and Jose Pekerman.

The Dutch extended their unbeaten run in competitive games to 15 matches, their last defeat coming against Sunday's opponents Portugal in the semi-finals of Euro 2004.

Pekerman, who rested strikers Javier Saviola and Hernan Crespo who were each carrying one yellow card, handed a first World Cup start to Lionel Messi.

The teenager has been on the comeback trail since pulling a thigh muscle playing for Barcelona against Chelsea in the Champions League in early March.

Messi was afforded a deafening roar of approval by the Argentine fans when his name in the starting line-up was announced, louder than than the ovation received by former great Diego Maradona when he took his seat in the VIP area.

The teenager, who turns 19 on Saturday, began well, creating the game's first opening with a astute pass into the penalty box that forced Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz into a do-or-die challenge on Esteban Cambiasso.

Some neat touches, fine control and elegant passes followed but Messi, who scored as a substitute on his World Cup debut in the 6-0 romp over Serbia & Montenegro, became a peripheral figure in the second half and was replaced on 69 minutes.

Carlos Tevez took the man-of-the-match award for his robust display and it was the burly striker, and not Messi or playmaker Juan-Roman Riquelme who threatened to end the stalemate.

Tevez forced Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar into a fine save with one rasping effort and almost snatched victory at the death with a shot that whistled inches wide.

Defeat at that stage would have been hard on the Dutch, who defended well throughout but, without the creativity of the rested Arjen Robben, lacked the tools to make a breakthrough.