Argentina crush South Korea behind Higuain hat trick

Maradona was on cloud nine.  After popping off and telling Pele "to go back to the museum" yesterday things could not have gone better for the outspoken coach as his Argentina crushed an overmatched South Korea squad 4-1 on the day.

Argentina had run out 2-0 leaders after the first half hour of play.  A deflected Lionel Messi free kick opened the scoring in the 17th and Gonzalo Higuain notched his first in the 33rd.  Argentina were on their way.  South Korea punched back and stole a goal in first half injury time when Lee Chung-yong pounced on a defensive mistake to close the gap.

The South Koreans tried to make a game of it in the second half, but the class of Argentina rarely allowed Korea to get forward too often in numbers.  Gonzalo Higuain put the game on ice scoring in quick succession in the 76th and 80th.

Argentina leads Group B with six points off two victories. It could clinch a spot in the knockout round, depending on the outcome of the Nigeria-Greece match later Thursday.  South Korea's fate will come down to their last group game against Nigeria.