The score sheet will show that Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain netted a hat trick in Argentina’s 4-1 shellacking of Korea in Johannesburg on Thursday.
But the real man of the match this morning was all-world striker Lionel Messi. The 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year created chance after chance for La Albiceleste, setting up two of Higuain’s goals and directly causing a third when his free kick in the 16th minute went off of Park Chu-Young’s shin and into the back of the net. In between, he kept the Korean defenders on their heels all match with brilliant attacks, as his side scored a pair of goals in each half to coast to the win.
Korea was simply outclassed in this one, as Diego Maradona’s squad demonstrated superior creativity and play-making ability throughout. But Korea wasn’t without its chances. Right before the half, while Korea was down 2-0, Lee Chung-Yong capitalized on a defensive miscue to trim the deficit by one heading into the locker room. During the earlier parts of the second half, Korea had a terrific chance to level the match, but midfielder Yeom Ki-Hun’s left-footed boot couldn’t find its mark.
In the end, however, it was too much Messi, who settled any doubt about the identity of the world’s finest footballer. His shot and rebound in the 76th minute caromed straight to his waiting teammate, Higuain, who had but to tap the ball into the empty goal mouth for a 3-1 lead. Four minutes later, Messi pressured the defense once again, leading to Higuain’s third goal on a header.
Now, Korea, with a minus-1 goal differential, must regroup to beat Nigeria in its next match for any likely chance to advance to the knockout round. A messy situation indeed. – TBY
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Photo Credit: Reuters/David Gray
