The second phase of the Group stages started last night, and the big match today was between Argentina and South Korea. Both teams came into this match with a victory in hand; Argentina beating Nigeria and South Korea beating the Greeks. South Korea, however, was on top of the table because of a better goal difference. They had displayed a spectacular attacking football style in their first match, and it looked like they would be threatening the Argentinean goal, because of some lapses in the defence.
However, Argentina controlled the tempo of the game from the very beginning. The only person missing for the team was Juan Sebastian Veron, owing to an injury, and he was replaced by Maxi Rodriguez. Messi played a deeper role and was very influential in attacking. He was very well supported by Carlos Tevez and Di Maria in the attack, as Argentina made chances after chances, putting pressure on the South Korean goal. It was not long before Argentina found the goal, as Messi’s free-kick from the left was put in by the Korean forward, Park Chu-Young.
Later on in the half, Argentina faced another injury set-back as their central defender Walter Samuel, supposedly the best in the team, had to limp his way out of the field. However, Argentina was awarded another goal as Lionel Messi’s cross was headed towards Gonzalo Higuain, who headed the ball in for his first ever goal for Argentina in the World Cup. However, the end of the half was not good for Argentina, as a defensive error by Martin Demichelis led to a goal by Lee Chung-Yong. At the end of the first half, despite Argentinean dominance, the Koreans seemed to be on track for a comeback.
In the second half, however, Argentina continued their dominance and launched plenty of attacks on the Korean goal. However, the Koreans managed to hold on for a better part of the half and also threatened the Argentinean goal. It was Gonzalo Higuain again in the 77th minute who scored an easy tap-in. Then again in the 80th minute Higuain was free in the 6-yard box, and scored another easy header to complete his hat-trick. This move was probably the best so far in this World Cup, and it would remind the world of what Argentina is really capable of achieving in the World Cup. The match ended with a 4-1 victory for Argentina.
There was only one problem with Argentina, and that was their defensive mistakes. On occasion, there was a lack of concentration shown by the defenders, one of which led to the only goal by the South Koreans. The Koreans, however, were unable to take some other chances that were presented to them. Gabriel Heinze and Jonas Gutierrez were booked after committing some silly tackles in the defence.
South Korea performed much worse than the last time when they played against Greece. They missed a lot of opportunities, especially the one in the second half on counter-attack. They were easily tamed in the mid-field by an inspiring display of passing game by the Argentineans. There were a lot of long range efforts by the Koreans, and some coming closer, which clearly meant that there was a lack of confidence in the side while playing against Argentina.
Now Argentina goes on top of the Group B, and seems quite the favourite to qualify for the next round staying on top. The final match is against Greece, which has shown poor performance until now. Argentina, therefore, are clear favourites to win that match as well. Greece is up against Nigeria tonight, and if they lose that match, Argentina would be through to the next round, the first team to make it through to the last 16.
South Korea would be facing Nigeria in the final match of Group B. Right now, they are better placed in their group; however, the result of the match between Greece and Nigeria would be very important in deciding their fate in the tournament.
At this moment, everyone is full of praises for the Argentinean side, who displayed a phenomenal piece of football today. They are surely a side to fear in this World Cup.
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