Worldcup 1998 : Friendly Games - Israel 2 - Argentina 1 , April 15, 1998.

ISRAEL 2 - ARGENTINA 1, April 15, 1998.

Israel upsets Argentina 2-1

JERUSALEM, April 15, 98 (AP)

Haim Ravivo scored with seven minutes remaining and a 10-man Israel beat Argentina 2-1 on Wednesday, its second major upset of a seeded World Cup squad in less than a month.

Israel stunned Romania 1-0 in Bucharest on March 18, and Wednesday's victory before 15,000 was celebrated with a major fireworks display that lit up the Jerusalem skyline moments after the victory.

Argentina, preparing for its World Cup run against a team that did not qualify, brought nearly all of its regular starters.

Israel led in the 64th minute on a goal by Najuan Geraiv but hurt itself a minute later when Yossi Abucassis received his second yellow card.

Diego Cagna equalized for Argentina in the 67th and the South Americans seemed poised to win before Ravivo's goal.

Both teams had several opportunities to score during a balanced first half. Israel had the best opportunity after Ravivo worked a clever return pass to Eyal Berkovitz only to be fouled nearing the Argentinian goal in the 16th minute.

Argentina repeatedly threatened down the left flank, especially through Rudolfo Cardoso, who missed just wide twice.

The Israelis never appeared awed by their more storied opponent, with Berkovitz and Ravivo's intelligent distribution leading to a succession of chances.

Argentina came out stronger after halftime with substitute Arnaldo Ortega getting three scoring chances in seven minutes.

Israel weathered the storm and took the lead in the 64th minute when Berkovitz's cross was thundered home by an on-rushing Geraiv.

After Israel was reduced to 10 men on Abucassis' expulsion, Argentina equalized through Cagnas's diving header from Marcelo Delgado's free kick.

But Ravivo stunned the Argentineans in the 83rd minute when he spotted Argentinean goalkeeper German Burgos off his line and blasted a 35 meter free kick into the unguarded net.

Goalkeeper Rafi Cohen made three diving saves in the final minutes to preserve the victory for Israel

Argentina had hoped to tune up before the France 98 World Cup on a friendly tour of Israel, Ireland and Brazil

Argentina will play Ireland at Dublin on the April 22 and Brazil at Rio on April 29. In France, the Argentines will be in Group H, along with Japan, Croatia, and Jamaica.