Argentina are joint favourites for the World Cup with totesport after throwing down the gauntlet to their rivals with a 6-0 demolition of Serbia and Montenegro. Jose Peckerman's side were in sensational form as they all but booked their place in the last 16.
Maxi Rodriguez (2), Esteban Cambiasso, Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi all found the net in a stunning team display, the highlight of which was the second from Cambiasso who rounded off a 24-pass move which drew comparisons with Brazil's famous team goal in the 1970 final.
totesport
Spokesman Paul Petrie said: "Argentina have made a mockery of the so-called Group of Death and set the standard for others to follow."
The other bookies followed suit, although Brazil remain ahead of their South American rivals with most.
Coral slashed Argentina into 4/1 - but they are still behind Brazil who were eased from 5/2 to 3/1. The Barking-based firm also pushed England out from 6/1 to 7s.
However, Coral's David Stevens revealed only the weight of money already taken on Brazil was keeping them at the head of the market.
He explained: "If we did not have significant pre-tournament liabilities on Brazil, Argentina would have replaced them as outright favourites already, and will do so if Brazil are not impressive against Australia on Sunday.
"Argentina's victory was yet another shocker for the layers, and this tournament is turning into the worst for us since Euro 2000. Even the 6-0 correct score was poor, as we laid £500 at 20/1 in running on that outcome."
Paddy Power, of the Irish layers, (4/1 from 6/1) was also bemoaning the Argies' success.
"Argentina have been flavour of the last month but now bets for them to win are flooding in. They've even overtaken England and Brazil as our biggest loser - even the English are backing the Argies. We didn't even see that in the great Maradona's days."
Bet365 moved their price from 13/2 to 9/2.
Spokesman Steve Freeth said: "We already have Argentina up to our eyeballs in the outright market; punters will come back for more after that performance."
Meanwhile, totesport
Petrie added: "On current form if the two teams were to meet tomorrow we would make England a 9/5 shot with Argentina the 5/4 favourites."
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By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
