By the Associated Press

HANOVER, Germany – Angola catches on to this World Cup thing fast.

Goalkeeper Joao Ricardo frustrated Mexico with some dramatic saves and the Black Antelopes, down to 10 men for the final 11 minutes, drew 0-0 with the heavily favored Mexicans on Friday night to keep alive hopes of a second-round berth at the World Cup.

Five days after an opening 1-0 loss to former colonial ruler Portugal, World Cup newcomer Angola frustrated the Mexicans with desperate defending. They also had a few moments of their own offensively to earn a point.

The draw also postponed Mexico’s celebrations, preventing it from moving to the verge of the round of 16 with a second victory in Group D.

The result left Mexico atop the group with four points. Portugal plays Iran on Saturday in the other group game.

Argentina 6, Serbia-Montenegro 0

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany – Argentina doesn’t just score goals, it crafts works of art.

Three first-half strikes, two by Maxi Rodriguez and another by substitute Esteban Cambiasso, led Argentina to a 6-0 victory Friday over Serbia-Montenegro in Group C. Hernan Crespo made it 4-0 in the 78th, and youngsters Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi finished off the biggest rout in the tournament so far.

Two-time champion Argentina, which opened the World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, will reach the round of 16 if the Netherlands wins or draws later Friday against the Ivorians.

“This was an incredible performance,” Rodriguez said.

Netherlands 2, Ivory Coast 1

STUTTGART, Germany – The Netherlands and Ruud van Nistelrooy kept the toughest group at the World Cup simple as can be.

With a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, the Dutch joined Argentina in the second round after playing only two games. So much for a down-to-the-wire race for the top two spots.

The Dutch again relied on the wings Friday and got a goal from Robin Van Persie on top of power forward Van Nistelrooy’s first World Cup strike. The Africans struck back with a gem from Bakary Kone as all the scoring came in the first half.

For the Africans it was not enough. With the final Group C games on Wednesday, Ivory Coast and Serbia-Montenegro are eliminated.

The Netherlands and Argentina play for first place in the group on Wednesday.

“We pinned them down far back,” said Van Nistelrooy. “It was what won the match.”

Instead of winger Arjen Robben, the in the first match star for the Netherlands, it was Van Persie who thrilled now.

Van Persie first set up his free kick with a searing run from the right wing into the center, where he was floored on the edge of the penalty area by Kolo Toure in the 23rd minute. Already brimming with confidence, the lefty lined up a drive that clattered into the upper right corner before goalie Jean-Jacques Tizie could get a hand up.