Argentina 4 South Korea 1 - Messi, Tevez and Higuain in control

Argentina lined up for their second Group B game against South Korea today with Coach Diego Maradona again sporting a natty grey suit, selecting Maxi Rodriguez to cover for the rested/injured Juan Sebastien Veron. 

Argentina looked full of intent right from the start, and Maradona had barely completed the last of his eight signs of the cross before lively Benfica winger Angel Di Maria made a slalom like run at the Korean defence only to find the side netting in the the 4th minute.

With Messi and Tevez causing problems, South Korea barely looked like a side capable of competing with the South Americans.  Indeed on 17 minutes, the gulf in class was fully illustrated as a shell-shocked Park Chu Young eased a decent, but not spectacular, Leo Messi corner into his own net to give La Albiceleste the lead.

Tevez continued to dominate proceedings and saw his 28th minute free kick sail just over the bar, to the relief of South Korean custodian Jung Sung-ryong.  When I say relief, I'm not referring to any potential goal, but Tevez had hit the ball so hard, Sung-ryong would have been lucky to retain his arm had he a got a hand to the Manchester City strikers effort.

Tevez was involved again with a typically dogged run down the Korean right that led to a Maxi Lopez free kick which was nodded home, almost in slow motion, by Gonzalo Higuain.  2-0 and coasting, with a stunning Messi lob also going close.

It was very nearly 3 just before the break, with a wicked cross/shot from Higuain that had Sung-ryong stretching, before making a theatrical save from Di Maria.  That looked to be that, but on the stroke of half time, DiMichelis in the Argentina defence was caught napping and allowed Lee Chung Yong time to finish.  2-1 and game on.

A clearly fired up South Korea emerged from the dressing room for the second half but Argentina continued to press, with Sung-ryong making a point blank save from a Higuain  effort and a smart stop from Carlos Tevez's shot.  

The game was beginning to swing more toward the Koreans and Guttierez was booked for a foul and subsequent reaction (sensibly getting a suspension out of the way now), Mascherano quickly following suit, but yet again, Higuain found himself in the right place at the right time.  

A neat through ball from substitute Sergio Aguero found an onrushing Leo Messi whose shot returned back from the post to give the Barcelona maestro a second chance to cross, with Higuain given the easiest of finishes.

Higuain completed his hat-trick moments later following a sublime move with a deft lofted cross from Leo Messi being expertly tucked away by the head of the Real Madrid striker.

Final score, Argentina 4, South Korea 1.

Totally comfortable in the end, although South Korea did have their moments.  What will El Diego take from this?  Having to replace Walter Samuel due to an injury in the first half will be a concern.  The Argentine defence never looked totally at ease once he went off, and this correspondent was far from surprised when Di Michellis made an absolute hash of things to allow South Korea to score.

Yellow cards are mounting too, with bookings in this one for Javier Mascherano and 'not a right back' Jonas Guttierez, who will miss the Greece game (albeit quite sensibly).  El Diego will also have to watch himself with the regular waving of the imaginary yellow card so far going unpunished.  I suspect referees in the latter stages of the tournament will not be quite so forgiving.  If El Diego has a pop at Sepp Blatter this week, the card waving might just get their attention.

All said and done, there were elements of the best and worst about Argentina today.  Occasionally rattled in defence, but far more often devastating in attack, and it was attack that won through, yet again.  Messi, although yet to score, is clearly operating at  top level, and is being ably assisted by Tevez and Higuain.  Look out Greece.