Argentina 2-1 South Korea
For 45 minutes, it was a commanding, dominant performance from Diego Maradona’s Argentina against the out-of-sorts South Korea.
However, a goal on the stroke of half-time from Lee Chung-Yong has given the South Koreans real hope of getting themselves back into the match.
Argentina were gifted an opener after just 15 minutes when Lionel 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 from the edge of the six-yard box as the ball struck his leg and past the helpless Jung Sung-Ryong.
The Albicelestes then doubled their advantage on the 32nd minute when Gonzalo Higuain headed in from close range. A well flighted ball from Maxi Rodriguez was flicked on impudently by Nicolas Burdisso, and Higuain 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 continued to dominate the match and looked to kill the game off with a third goal. Angel Di Maria, who has looked far better so far in this match than he did against Nigeria, came close with a rasping shot which forced Ryong to pull off one of the saves of the tournament so far.
Then a brilliant move from Messi, where he twisted and turned a succession of South Korean defenders, led to a delicate chip which nearly found its way into the back of the net.
With the game looking dead and buried already, few inside the Soccer City Stadium would have expected what was to happen next.
A 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.
For any side, the stroke of half-time is often regarded as the perfect time to score. And now, South Korea will be hoping to pull off the comeback of the World Cup so far over the course of the next 45 minutes.
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