What Happened
What started out as total dominance ended up being a little bit trickier for Argentina than what the scoreline indicates. Maradona’s men went on the attack from the first whistle and were up 1-0 after Park Chu-Young turned the ball into his own net in the 17th minute. Gonzalo Higuain added a second 16 minutes later and it appeared Argentina were on their way to a worry-free victory.
Enter Martin Demichelis.
The Argentine centre-back pulled a Nick Garcia and allowed Lee Chung-Yong to waltz in all alone on goal and score at the stroke of half-time, giving South Korea life.
After the break, Yeom Ki-Hun’s near miss highlighted a somewhat nervy first 15 minutes for Argentina. But the South American powerhouse found their first-half from and put on a scintillating display of attacking football for the last half hour, with Higuain finishing off his hat-trick for a fully deserved 4-1 win.
The bad news for Argentina? Walter Samuel left with a muscle injury in the 23rd minute.
Notes from Joe
- Leo Messi: Witch or a shape-shifting lizard? Still hasn’t scored, but he’s strung together two dominate performances. A sight to behold. Soak it all in, people.
- Messi basically played in the hole behind Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez, with Juan Sebastian Veron on the bench and Maxi Rodriguez playing on the right side of midfield. I like him there. Sees a a lot of the ball, and scares the life out of defenders with the way he runs at them.
- Argentina’s first goal may have had an element of luck to it, but that’s what happens when you attack and put pressure on opposing defenders– you get breaks.
- After watching that brutal error from Martin Demichelis, you have to wonder how long it’s going to be before Nicolas Burdisso is selected ahead of him.
- Surprised to see right back Cha Du-Ri on the bench. Thought he was great against Greece. Hadn’t read anything about him being hurt, but I suppose that’s a possibility.
- Worth noting that Argentina were playing their second straight match in Johannesburg, while the South Koreans had to travel from Port Elizabeth.
Notes from Kristian
- Now that was first class. Best game of the World Cup this far. Delighted for Gonzlalo Higuain. I thought he was great in the first game. He’ll get his press now. Jose Mourinho is going to love him at Real Madrid.
- Tactically, without the ball Argentina are far too wide open. It’s fun to watch for the neutral but they will get destroyed by a better team if they don’t change.
- Another sloppy error by Martin Demichelis, a central defender who far too often loses concentration.
- One way to solve defensive issues at right back for Argentina: Jonas Gutierrez threw the ball away stupidly to pick up his second yellow of the World Cup and will miss the next match.
Notes from James
- So, so proud. Best performance so far. I knew you had it in you. Well done Jabulani.
- I’d like to see Sergio Aguero against a better side, but regardless he was amazing coming on as a substitute. Have to give Diego Maradona credit, that was an inspirational switch. Also a class move to take of Gonzalo Higuain to and ovation. Good way to build up spirit.
- I wonder if the Aguero/Maradona’s daughter relationship was a dastardly plan hatched within the offices of the Argentina Federation?
- Maradona must have been livid with Gabriel Heinze’s intentional handball.
- "The Asian Baggio", "The Asian Rooney"…getting a little sick of this. How about we just say they’re good footballers?
Note from Thomas Dobby
- Argentina must have run out of adult kits. Jonas Gutierrez got stuck with a child’s size. Should have given it to Messi or Tevez.
Three Stars
1. Lionel Messi
2. Gonzalo Higuain
3. Javier Mascherano
Links Wire recap I Box Score
Argentina is a treat to watch going forward, but that defense will need mending when they face a tougher side. Korea was able to break the Argentine defense a few times, partially facilitated by the pylon with nicer hair, Martin Demichelis.
Walter Samuel has been better but also a little slow-footed and Jonas Gutierrez seems to be unable to play defense at all.
Higuian is going to have a season like Milito did. He has all the skills of Milito and then a few things that he doesn’t.
The WC coverage has be superb thus far guys.
What can I say… Korea were able to nullify Tevez and minimize any damage from Messi… but Argentina just has more attacking scoring forwards…
Kim Jung-Woo and Ki Sung-Yong(aside from that free kick) were shit.
Oh Beom-Seok was put in because he has better dribbling skills.
Korea made too many errant passes.
Do you rate him over DuRi?
No, but Huh planned it that way.
Oh Beom-Seok played in the Spain friendly.
Cha does not have a great first touch and does not do well with the ball under pressure.
I think he is a way more physical version of Marvell Wynne and may be a better finisher…
Argentina is just a class above…
Talk about a game that is easy to get up to watch. That was a good game of football. Argentina’s defence will need to step up in the knockout rounds, but other than that, top class.
And Messi, man, if Jesus could play football…Messi would still get by him.
World Cup Look-Alike: Maxi Rodriguez and Adam Sandler AND Gabriel Heinze and adult film star Seymour Butts
South korea played so well, but Argentina is starting ot gain speed on their steamroller. Mascherano played exceptionally well and was involved in almost all of Argentina’s game. Tevez and Messi were contained to the best of the South Korean ability but Argentina are too good on so many levels. It’s great to see that all the “weaker” countries got into it their first games. I felt Honduras was the worst performing team, which goes to show that the level of skill is equaling out in world football.
Surprised you put Messi as #1 star ahead of Higuian with a hat trick . I know Messi is a football god but come on!!!!!
He was better. Higuian had three tap-ins.
Messi ran the game.