Higuain hat-trick gave Argentina a superb victory
Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick as Argentina underlined their World Cup credentials with a 4-1 victory over South Korea in an entertaining encounter at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
Diego Maradona's side were two up inside 33 minutes, a calamitous Park Chu-young own goal being followed by a close-range header from Higuain.
But South Korea stole a goal against the run of play on the brink of half-time through Lee Chung-yong only for Higuain to score from close range on 76 and 80 minutes to end their hopes.
Maradona fielded an attacking line-up and his side produced some exhilarating football with Angel Di Maria, Carlos Tevez and naturally Lionel Messi creating a glut of chances.
Argentina had impressed in their opening victory against Nigeria and were ahead inside 16 minutes.
Oh Beom-seok fouled the impressive Di Maria to gift the twice champions a free-kick in a dangerous area, on the left, which was swung over by Messi. It was completely missed by Martin Demichelis but the ball bounced off the shin of Korean forward Park Chu-young and into the net.
And it was another set-piece that brought the second goal with the tireless Tevez winning a free-kick in the left corner. It was worked short to Maxi Rodriguez whose cross was flicked on by sub Nicolas Burdisso and the unmarked Higuain planted his header home from close range although keeper Jung Sung-ryong should have done better.
Tevez had earlier whistled a rocket of a free-kick over the crossbar from 20 yards while Messi produced a scintillating run, surging past Lee Jung-soo and then cutting inside Oh Beom-seok and Kim Jung-woo before a delicate chip landed just the wrong side of the far post.
Korea, themselves on three points after their victory over Greece, had been outplayed and only a long-range strike from Ki Sung-yong had concerned Sergio Romero before a defensive calamity from Demichelis in first-half injury time.
A long goal-kick threatened little danger but the Bayern Munich central defender lingered far too long on the ball and Lee Chung-yong nicked it off him before calmly slotting home.
Argentina started the second half with the same intent, this time Jung Sung-ryong doing well to turn Higuain's volley from point-blank range around the post before the Korea custodian pushed a diagonal drive from Tevez away.
Korea did have one gilt-edged chance of an equaliser but Yeom Ki-hun shot wide after a superb flowing move featuring Bolton's Lee Chung-yong.
Gabriel Heinze found himself unmarked from a corner but headed over. Argentina had threatened more goals for a while - and two came within four minutes.
Messi was the inspiration for the third. His first shot was superbly saved by Jung Sung-ryong's foot then a lightning follow-up hit the post and rolled across the goal to allow Higuain to tap home from two yards.
Higuain completed his hat-trick with the best goal of the bunch. Messi produced a delicate dink over the top to sub Sergio Aguero whose delicious chip with the outside of his boot found 'Pipita' who put his header back across goal and into the net.
Maradona was jubilant and, on this evidence, he has a side capable of matching his own glorious achievement as a player in 1986.
Match Facts
Argentina v South Korea
Goals 4-1
1st Half Goals 2-1
Shots on Target 8-2
Shots off Target 7-7
Blocked Shots 3-7
Corners 6-2
Fouls 19-19
Offsides 4-0
Yellow Cards 3-2
Red Cards 0-0
Passing Success 86%-72.5%
Tackles 21%-30%
Tackles Success 90.5%-80%
Possession 61.7%-38.3%
Territorial Advantage 49.9%-50.1%
But South Korea stole a goal against the run of play on the brink of half-time through Lee Chung-yong only for Higuain to score from close range on 76 and 80 minutes to end their hopes.
Maradona fielded an attacking line-up and his side produced some exhilarating football with Angel Di Maria, Carlos Tevez and naturally Lionel Messi creating a glut of chances.
Argentina had impressed in their opening victory against Nigeria and were ahead inside 16 minutes.
Oh Beom-seok fouled the impressive Di Maria to gift the twice champions a free-kick in a dangerous area, on the left, which was swung over by Messi. It was completely missed by Martin Demichelis but the ball bounced off the shin of Korean forward Park Chu-young and into the net.
And it was another set-piece that brought the second goal with the tireless Tevez winning a free-kick in the left corner. It was worked short to Maxi Rodriguez whose cross was flicked on by sub Nicolas Burdisso and the unmarked Higuain planted his header home from close range although keeper Jung Sung-ryong should have done better.
Tevez had earlier whistled a rocket of a free-kick over the crossbar from 20 yards while Messi produced a scintillating run, surging past Lee Jung-soo and then cutting inside Oh Beom-seok and Kim Jung-woo before a delicate chip landed just the wrong side of the far post.
Korea, themselves on three points after their victory over Greece, had been outplayed and only a long-range strike from Ki Sung-yong had concerned Sergio Romero before a defensive calamity from Demichelis in first-half injury time.
A long goal-kick threatened little danger but the Bayern Munich central defender lingered far too long on the ball and Lee Chung-yong nicked it off him before calmly slotting home.
Argentina started the second half with the same intent, this time Jung Sung-ryong doing well to turn Higuain's volley from point-blank range around the post before the Korea custodian pushed a diagonal drive from Tevez away.
Korea did have one gilt-edged chance of an equaliser but Yeom Ki-hun shot wide after a superb flowing move featuring Bolton's Lee Chung-yong.
Gabriel Heinze found himself unmarked from a corner but headed over. Argentina had threatened more goals for a while - and two came within four minutes.
Messi was the inspiration for the third. His first shot was superbly saved by Jung Sung-ryong's foot then a lightning follow-up hit the post and rolled across the goal to allow Higuain to tap home from two yards.
Higuain completed his hat-trick with the best goal of the bunch. Messi produced a delicate dink over the top to sub Sergio Aguero whose delicious chip with the outside of his boot found 'Pipita' who put his header back across goal and into the net.
Maradona was jubilant and, on this evidence, he has a side capable of matching his own glorious achievement as a player in 1986.
Match Facts
Argentina v South Korea
Goals 4-1
1st Half Goals 2-1
Shots on Target 8-2
Shots off Target 7-7
Blocked Shots 3-7
Corners 6-2
Fouls 19-19
Offsides 4-0
Yellow Cards 3-2
Red Cards 0-0
Passing Success 86%-72.5%
Tackles 21%-30%
Tackles Success 90.5%-80%
Possession 61.7%-38.3%
Territorial Advantage 49.9%-50.1%
