Argentina Vs. South Korea: Argentines Roll, 4-1, Behind Gonzalo Higuain’s Hat-Trick

If you can look past Gonzalo Higuain’s hat trick—gifted to him by a generous and generously brilliant in the open field Lionel Messi—the crib sheet on Argentina emerged solidly in their 4-1 romp over South Korea. They score, they score again, and sometimes they burp up the ball in their own backfield and risk forfeiting all the offensive wizardry to defensive negligence.

Messi was in fine form even though he didn’t score, threading the ball through South Korean defenders to find his teammates (especially Higuain) forward, and Carlos Tevez ground away with his usual manic work rate, and yes they scored four goals and looked spectacular doing so. When it all congeals it is the tastiest flan this year’s World Cup can offer, especially coming off the gilded toe of Messi.

Four minutes after putting Argentina up 3-1, Gonzalo Higuain has headed home his third goal of the match, giving Argentina a three goal lead with ten minutes left in the match.

Another easy finish for the Real Madrid forward, Higuain headed home his hattrick from just outside the six yard box, putting his shot down and across goal, giving goalkeeper Jung Song-Ryung no chance.

Bolton Wanderers’ winger Lee Chong-Yong has pulled South Korea within won in first half stoppage time after an Argentina mistake gifted the him a goal.

Center half Martin Demichelis misplayed a ball along the back line. A long ball played by Korean `keeper Jung Sung-Ryong went to Demichelis after a aerial challenge, but lackadaisical play from the defender allowed a defender to sneak -up on him. Lee was in the gift place to take the misplay and go in alnoe toward goalkeeper Sergio Romero. The South Korean calmly finished past the oncoming keeper to give the Koreans a shocking goal, pulling them to within one.

Set piece work from Lionel Messi and Maxi Rodriguez led to a Nicolas Burdisso flick far post for Gonzalo Higuain, whose 33rd minute header put Argentina up 2-0 over South Korea.

The movement started on the left flank, where building from a set piece saw Messi and Rodriguez against one defender 8 yards from touch. Messi eventually played the ball to Maxi whose cross found Burdisso just inside the area. The defender, substituted on ten minutes prior, flicked the ball on for Higuain, left open as South Korea tried to push its line up. Higuain headed the ball down toward the goal line, the shot bouncing up, into goal.

Walter Samuel has apparently picked up a hamstring injury in the 21st minute.

The Argentine center half had to take treatment off the pitch for an injury to his left leg. Moments earlier, while on the ball, Samuel had to give the ball to left back Gabriel Heinze though he was not being pressured.

A 16th minute own goal from Park Chu-Young has given Argentina a 1-0 lead early against South Korea.

On the first set piece opportunity of the match, Lionel Messi hit a low ball from the left flank to the middle of the area. A right shin stuck-out by Park put the ball into his own net, the first goal allowed by South Korea this tournament.

That winner is assumed to be Argentina, but as was the case throughout their qualifying campaign, the Albiceleste remain a flawed team. The three-pronged attack adopted by Maradona is a beguiling blend of grace, desire, and opportunism, but it is overshadowing questions in the midfield and limitations at the back.

But there are a number of reasons to think they will.