No Messi(ng) around with Argentina
Higuain hat-trick dumps South Korea:
Ryland JAMES
Diego Maradona’s Argentina look certainties for a place in the last
16 of the World Cup after their 4-1 Group B victory over South Korea on
Thursday as Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick.
Maradona’s side will be sure of a place in the knock-out phase later
on Thursday if Group B rivals Greece and Nigeria draw in Bloemfontein.
Midfield maestro Lionel Messi was superb throughout as Argentina
raced into a 2-0 first-half lead thanks to a header from Higuain and an
own-goal by Korea’s Park Chu-Young.
Monaco forward Park turned a free-kick by Messi into his own net on
17 minutes before Higuain’s header extended the South American giants
lead with his first goal on 33 minutes.
South Korea’s Lee Chung-Yong gave his side hope with a goal at the
end of the first half to make it 2-1, but Messi-inspired Argentina were
not to be denied. Higuain made sure of the win with two goals in four
minutes late in the second-half in front of a 82,174-strong crowd at
Soccer City.
Argentina meant business from the kick-off and took the lead when
Messi’s free-kick deflected off Park’s legs who could only watch in
horror as the ball flew over the line. Argentina coach Diego Maradona
then replaced the limping Walter Samuel with AS Roma’s Nicolas Burdisso
on 23 minutes.
Argentina extended the lead when Maxi Rodriguez’s cross was flicked
on by Burdisso for Higuain to beat Korean ‘keeper Jung Sung-Ryong on 33
minutes, before Lee’s late effort gave the South Koreans hope for the
second-half.
Jung pulled off two great saves in quick succession early in the
half: first from Higuain at close-quarters after a good break from Angel
Di Maria, a constant threat to the Korean defence, then Tevez after a
long-range shot.
The only slight blemish on the Argentinians day was Jonas Gutierrrez
second booking of the tournament which will see the Newcastle United
star miss the next game with Greece.
Higuain settled the contest after Messi beat two defenders in the box
and squared for the Real forward to fire into an empty net on 76 minutes
while Messi again played a hand in the fourth goal on 80 minutes to seal
the win.
Man-of-the-match Higuain jogged off in the 82nd minute to loud
applause from the Argentina fans, but the 22-year-old’s reply in kind
could well have been for midfield maestro Messi who created his goals.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Thursday (AFP)
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