Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey wonders if Argentina will build on their Olympic triumph and finally win that long awaited third World Cup in 2010.

All of the discussion before the 2008 Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing began largely centred around Brazil's quest for their first ever Olympic title. The question of how the Olympic gold medal could escape the most successful and internationally recognised football nation of all time was one which was frequently asked in the build-up to the games, and one which would often baffle.

The general feeling was that Beijing would be the place Brazil would finally get their hands on the elusive gold medal. Packed with stars including Ronaldinho, Pato and Anderson, the South Americans were clearly out to win the tournament, appearing hungry and intent on setting the record straight.

However, it would be their oldest and fiercest rivals who would eventually stop Dunga's side in their tracks. Argentina and Brazil went head-to-head at the semi-final stage of the competition at the Beijing Worker's Stadium, and in a reversal of the 2007 Copa America Final score, were comprehensively beaten 3-0 courtesy of two goals from Sergio Aguero and a Juan Roman Riquelme Penalty.

Whilst Brazil had to make do with Olympic Bronze, after previously being outplayed by their South American rivals, Argentina went on to beat Nigeria 1-0 in the Olympic final to secure gold, just as they'd managed to do four years earlier in Athens. This time, the hero of the hour was Angel Di Maria, whose delightful chip past the onrushing Nigerian goalkeeper Vanzekin was enough to beat the tireless Nigerians in the searing Beijing heat.

Argentina's victory went a long way to finally putting their poor display in last year's Copa America to one side, and their fanatical supporters back in Buenos Aires and the other major cities in their homeland will now firmly believe that they have what it takes to win the World Cup in South Africa in little under two years time.

But do Argentina really have what it takes to win the World Cup, or will they falter just as they did in the last World Cup in Germany and in last year's Copa America final?

There's no question that the Albicelestes are blessed with the finest strikers world football currently has to offer, as well as a combatant yet technical midfield. However, despite Argentina's impressive defensive record at the Olympic Games, the backline rarely fill you with supreme confidence they'll be able to keep opponents at bay for 90 minutes, and this often presents chances which the best team's in the world may well be able to exploit.

Like their rivals Brazil, the emphasis will be on using attack as the best form of defence. The attacking trio of Aguero, Carlos Tevez and the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, is obviously a phenomenal advantage the Argentines have as a starting point. When backed up by the likes of Riquelme, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Gago and Di Maria, it'd take a brave person to bet against Argentina winning their third World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

Argentina will, however, have to learn from previous recent mistakes if they're to go all the way in South Africa. Many believe that Argentina should have won the last World Cup finals in Germany two years ago. Their 6-0 demolition of Serbia and Montenegro in the group stages of the tournament was one of the finest team performances displayed at a World Cup, which most people will remember for Esteban Cambiasso's goal after an incredible 26-pass move, hailed as one of the greatest team goals of all time.

Yet, they came unstuck against the host nation Germany, where coach Jose Pekerman's reluctance to throw on Javier Saviola and in particular, Messi, to the astonishment of the Argentine support was largely put down as the reason the South Americans were knocked-out in a penalty shoot-out. Now the man in charge is the threatening-looking Alfio Basile, who despite not taking charge of the Olympic team which claimed gold last week, has still helped guide Argentina to second in the South America qualification group so far.

The Argentine's have the ability, experience and know-how to produce the goods when it matters most. Keeping their most important players fit will be the key to mounting a serious challenge at the 2010 World Cup finals, but this most recent Olympic victory will undoubtedly equip them with the confidence needed to qualify for the tournament and the belief that they have what it takes to win their third, and most overdue World Cup.