ESPNSTAR.com brings you the player ratings for the Argentina team that took to the field against Uruguay in Montevideo.

By Vincent Lai

Diego Maradona looked to be off his rockers as he enlisted the help of has-beens and youngsters in a bid to grab the final automatic South American berth at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. But the football icon managed to win arguably the biggest football match of his managerial career, with his side edging out Uruguay 1-0 at the final whistle.

Here are the player ratings:

Sergio Romero 5

Did not have much to do besides long shots from Diego Forlan and some trouble from Luis Alberto Suarez and Alvaro Pereira down the wings, Romero had a chance to breathe in the high altitude of Montevideo. Dropped the ball off a shot by Suarez in the second half but was lucky enough not to pay for his gaffe.

Nicolas Otamendi 5

Up-and-coming defender for the Albicelestes but looked out of place playing out-of-position at right back.

Rolando Schiavi 6

Weird that Diego Maradona needed a 36-year-old to marshal the backline for the South American giants. Schiavi was useful to deflect Uruguay's long balls though.

Martin Demichelis 7

Probably Argentina's best defender of the night, squeezing Suarez and Folan out of the box is a dreary game.

Gabriel Heinze 6

Had a chance to score with a header on a set piece, and had a penalty shout refused. Tidy in defence.

Jonas Gutierrez 6

Like the way he plays for Newcastle, running around like a headless chicken.

Javier Mascherano 7

This game against Uruguay in Montevideo was his kind of game, as he excelled in the grind-it-out, winner-takes-all qualifier.

Juan Sebastian Veron 5

Not in his element, as the playmaker has shackled by Uruguay's midfield and defence. Even his clearances for Argentina were flying perpendicular out for throw-ins! A miserable night for the World Cup veteran. That said, who builds a team around a 34-year-old declining midfielder?

Angel Di Maria 6 (off 75^th minute)

Another up-and-coming player but could not shake off Andres Scotti to make a decent play.

Lionel Messi 5 (off 86^th minute)

Totally disappointing performance from the world class star. Hesitated on the ball and looked lost without it. Definitely not one for the highlight reel.

Gonzalo Higuain 5 (off 80^th minute)

Did he even play? We certainly did not notice the presence of the Real Madrid hitman until the 61^st minute, when Messi found some space to play a through ball to Higuain, but Uruguay goalie Fernando Muslera was more than up to the task.

Subs:

Fabian Monzon 6 (on 75^th)

A left back brought on for Di Maria to shore up Argentina's defence. Was versatile enough to provide an outlet on the break.

Mario Bolatti 7 (on 80^th)

Maradona decided to go to a 4-5-1 formation to secure the point with ten minutes left, but defending was the last thing on Bolatti's mind as he latched on a Veron shot to score and fire Argentina into the World Cup!

Carlos Tevez 6 (on 86^th)

Brought on to run his socks off, which he did to perfection.