2010 World Cup: Argentina v South Korea full time report
Argentina 4-1 South Korea
Another impressive performance ensured Argentina secured their second win of the World Cup group stages over the outplayed South Korea.
An instrumental display from the imperious Lionel Messi inspired the South Americans at the Soccer City Stadium, but it was Gonzalo Higuain who’ll grab the headlines after notching the first hat-trick of the 2010 World Cup finals.
Following a lively start to the match, Argentina were gifted the opener after just 15 minutes when Messi’s whipped in free-kick from the left flank was inadvertently turned into his own new by South Korea striker Park Chu-Young.
The 24-year-old could do little while standing on the edge of the six-yard box as the ball struck his leg and rolled past the helpless Jung Sung-Ryong.
The Abicelestes then doubled their advantage on the 32nd minute when Higuain grabbed his first goal of the afternoon. A well flighted ball from Maxi Rodriguez was flicked on impudently by Nicolas Burdisso, and Argentina’s number nine found himself level with the last defender at the back post and had the simplest task of knocking the ball past Ryong.
The two-time world champions were cruising and looked superb value for their two goal lead. With the game looking dead and buried already, few inside the 95,000 capacity arena would have expected what was to happen next.
A catastrophic lapse in concentration from Martin Demichelis allowed Lee Chung-Yong to steal in and sensationally put the ball past Sergio Romero in the Argentina goal.
Maradona’s job at half-time would have been to rouse his players following that blow, and after the break the South Americans came out intent on extending their deficit to two goals once more.
Another intricate passing move almost led to a third goal, but Higuain was thwarted by an instinctive save from Ryong.
All the time the ball was in the attacking third, Argentina looked assured and comfortable. Worryingly for their coach, every time the ball made its way to the opposite end of the pitch it would invariably lead to panic. And moments after Higuain had nearly made it 3-1, South Korea came inches away from leveling the scores.
Yeom Ki-Hun was presented with the golden opportunity to equalise following a fast, free-flowing break. However, the striker could only find the side netting of Romero’s net. A big let off for the Argentineans.
Maradona’s men continued to dominate possession after this scare, passing the ball around neatly and tiring out their energetic opponents. A third goal appeared inevitable; and on the 78th minute, the tenacity and skill of Messi allowed Higuain to net his second of the afternoon – and Argentina’s third.
That close range tap-in effectively killed the tie off as a contest. But the final nail in Huh Jung-Moo side’s coffin came just moments later when that man again, Higuain, secured the match ball with another well directed header from inside the box.
More expert build-up play from Argentina’s attack eventually led to Messi playing a wonderfully chipped ball to Aguero, who floated in a perfectly weighted ball for Higuain to head across Ryong and into the far corner of the net.
After the final whistle, a delighted Maradona made his way onto the pitch to congratulate his players and staff. A 4-1 performance was a thoroughly deserved result, and on the evidence of today’s performance, Argentina will take some stopping in this year’s tournament as they put one foot into the last 16.
Tags: