Sweet Sixteen Awaits As Hurricane Higuain Hatrick Does Seoul Boys

ARGENTINA 4 SOUTH KOREA 1
Diega Armando Maradona has masterminded the first qualification for the knock out stages of World Cup 2010. Argentina strolled into the last 16 with a quality performance which marks them as the new favourites to lift the trophy for a third time after wins in 1978 & 1986 when the genius of Maradona was at it’s peak.
The South Koreans are a tidy side who have the imagination & pace to give most sides a match, but today they were simply overwhelmed by an Argentine side who have their eyes very firmly on bigger & better days out during this mundial.
Gonzalo Higuain, who is descended from the old Irish Higgins clan was the hero of the hour as he banged in the first hat trick of this tournament to usurp Uruguay’s Diego Forlan in the race for the Golden Boot. The fact that Argentina were without their aging playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron might have caused problems given his dominant turn in the Argentine’s opener but when Lionel Messi is on his game they can steamroller anyone. Carlos Tevez & Higuain were lively all afternoon as Messi pulled the strings for them to pull the trigger. The Korean goalkeeper bravely kept the score down although he was also shocking for Higuain’s first goal. the korean netminder was seriously unlucky with the third goal when he pulled off a cracking double save from Messi only for the ball to ricochet off the post & into the path of Higuain who tapped it home.Two good opening performances by the Argentines but it still remains to be seen if there is a soft centre in defence whch much better sides like Germany,Brazil or Spain may well exploit. Maradona’s dream is alive but the fulfilment of it may be out of reach- we shall wait & see.

Bob "The Voice" McKenzie Twitter: @BobTheVoice About: