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Group B: Argentina 4, South Korea 1

Argentina: Park, Chu-young (own goal) 16, Higuain (3) 33, 76, 80

South Korea 1 Lee 45.

Starting line-ups

Argentina (4-3-3)

22-Sergio Romero;

2-Martin Demichelis, 13-Walter Samuel, 6-Gabriel Heinze, 17-Jonas Gutierrez; 14-Javier Mascherano, 20-Maxi Rodriguez, 7-Angel Di Maria;

10-Lionel Messi, 11-Carlos Tevez, 9-Gonzalo Higuain.

South Korea: (4-5-1)

18-Jung Sung-ryong;

2-Oh Beom-seok, 12-Lee Young-pyo, 4-Cho Yong-hyung, 14-Lee Jung-soo;

8-Kim Jung-woo, 16-Ki Sung-yong, 7-Park Ji-sung, 17-Lee Chung-yong, 10-Park Chu-young;

19-Yeom Ki-hun.

Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).

Venue: Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg.

Both Argentina and South Korea managed to win their first World Cup matches, defeating Nigeria and Greece respectively, which underscored the significance of this match because a win here for either would all but guarantee a last-16 berth. Diego Maradona, who has been often criticised for the lack of a clear tactical strategy or stability, started with the same team that beat Nigeria 1-0 with the only change being Maxi Rodríguez for Juan Sebstaián Verón as the veteran midfielder couldn’t shake off injury problems.

Right at the start it was clear that Argentina wanted to score an early goal while South Korea adopted a defensive approach, which has proved rather efficient in this tournament so far. Argentina completely dominated the early stages of the match, with Angel di María looking particularly dangerous on the left wing. He set up Higuaín in the 11th minute, but the Real Madrid striker failed to connect with his cross and missed in his attempt to put the ball in the back of the net. Argentina didn’t have to wait long to open the scoring, though: they were awarded a 16th-minute free-kick which was struck by Messi. Instead of clearing the ball, South Korea striker Chu-Young Park let it rebound off him and into his own net. It was a calamitous way for South Korea to concede. But Ki-Hun was quite close to stunning the Albiceleste just a minute later when he fired a powerful 25-yard shot, which dashed just over the bar.

Argentina were handed a blow in the 23rd when their best defender, Samuel, hobbled off the pitch with what looked like a hamstring strain and had to be replaced by the less reliable Burdisso. South Korea were in trouble soon again when Cho pulled down Messi, conceding another potentially dangerous free-kick. This time, Messi rolled the ball to Tévez whose well-struck effort was just wide. Tévez, despite his small size, is known for his resilience and work rate, and these characteristics were in full display when he somehow managed to rob two opponents of the ball and was eventually fouled to give Argentina yet another free-kick. The ball which was chipped beautifully towards the area by Maxi and headed home by Higuain after Burdisso had flicked it in. This was Higuain’s second touch of the game but this is all a top-class target man requires.

Messi produced a moment of pure magic two minutes before the end of the first half when he burst through the Korean defence, slicing it apart with his marvellous dribbling skills. However, his attempt to lob the South Korean keeper fell just wide. From nowhere, South Korea, who didn’t look close to threatening the Argentine defence, pulled a goal back in the last moment of the first half when Martin Demicheles inexplicably gifted the ball to Lee Chung-Young, who easily lifted the ball over Argentina keeper Romero and into the net. South Korea seemed to carry that momentum into the second half while Argentina dropped their intensity level significantly, allowing South Korea to grow in confidence. They could have paid for this in various occasions but South Korea were just not precise enough.

Maradona saw that his team was fading away and replaced Tevez with Sergio Aguero 15 minutes before the end, and the substitution paid immediate dividends. Messi and Aguero, who were roommates in the 2005 under-20 World Cup, launched a devastating counter-attack: Messi received the return pass from Aguero but was unlucky to have his shot rebound off the post, but Higuain, like a classic centre-forward, was in the right place at the right time to tap the in rebound. Three minutes later, Messi and Aguero helped set up Higuain for his third and Argentina’s fourth: Messi split the South Korean defence with a delightful pass to Aguero, who crossed for Higuain to nod it in. This was the first World Cup hat-trick since Pauletta scored three goals for Portugal against Poland in the 2002 World Cup. The scoreline was a little bit harsh on South Korea, who deserved more for their improved second half performance, but when you have world-class players like Aguero who can come off the bench and make the difference, life can be cruel for your opponents.

Budour Hassan
DFN Sports Staff Writer