Hat-trick hero Higuain sets Maradona on the glory trail
ARGENTINA(4) vs SOUTH KOREA (1)
DIEGO MARADONA lavished praise on his Argentina side after they all but sealed their place in the last 16 with a comfortable victory over South Korea at Johannesburg’s Soccer City.
Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain was the hero with a clinical hat-trick as Maradona’s
men showed why they are many pundits’ tips.
“I have 23 top players in my squad and they’re ready to put on the jersey and work on the
pitch,” said Maradona. “We feel great. We are happy and we have peace of mind.”
An own goal from Park Chu-young set the two-time champions on their way before
Higuain doubled the advantage. Lee Chung-yong’s effort on the stroke of half-time gave the Koreans hope, but two goals in three minutes from Higuain late on sealed a comfortable win.
In the other game, Greece came from behind to clinch their first World Cup victory, 2-1 over Nigeria.
Kalu Uche gave Nigeria the lead on 16 minutes but the Super Eagles were soon down to 10 men when Sani Kaita was sent off for lashing out.
Greece then took control and goals from Dimitrios Salpingidis and Vasileios Torosidis sealed victory.