* ALL great goalscorers have a superb sense of timing, and Romania's

Ilie Dumitrescu chose the perfect moment to prove that again and help

send Argentina crashing out of the World Cup.

After three largely indifferent games in the first round, Romania

desperately needed Dumitrescu to bounce back to form against Argentina

in their second-round match in Los Angeles last night.

And that is exactly what he did as the Romanians won 3-2 to reach the

quarter-finals for the first time.

Dumitrescu scored their first direct from a free-kick after 11 minutes

and added the second seven minutes later when he ran onto a through ball

from skipper Gheorghe Hagi and left Argentina's goalkeeper Luis Islas

helpless.

He also set up Hagi for Romania's third in the second half and his

overall performance was just what was needed in the absence of the

suspended Florin Raducioiu -- scorer of two goals in the first round and

a key figure in attack.

Although Hagi was officially named man of the match, Dumitrescu's

influence on the outcome was crucial.

0 ''I did make a slow start to the Cup, it's true,'' said the Steaua

Bucharest forward afterwards, ''but my team-mates have shown a lot of

confidence in me and we gave it everything we had.

''This is a unique moment, and one to savour. We have never reached

the last eight before and I'm delighted the two goals I scored will get

me a place in our soccer history.''

Hagi said: ''We proved we are not a team of individuals but a good

team overall, and Ilie was the star.''