Argentina and South Korea both went into this game on three points; with a win for either team meaning possible qualification to the Second Round, if Greece and Nigeria drew later in the day.

South Korea were forced to start with everyone behind the ball, as Argentina took the early initiative.

South Korea gave away a needless wrestling foul, with fifteen minutes gone, and were made to pay for it; as Lionel Messi's free-kick was met by Park Chu-Young's shin, for own goal number two of the tournament.

Argentina slipped into second gear, just after the half-hour mark, as Maxi Rodríguez floated the ball into the area, and it was headed on for Gonzalo Higuain to score.

South Korea tried to get back into the game just before half-time and their persistence paid off when Lee Chung-Yong was able to nick the ball and put it in the net, just before the whistle blew. A lack of concentration from Argentina perhaps.

Half-time: 2:1

Jung Sung-Ryong kept South Korea in with a chance, early in the second-half; tipping the ball away for a corner.

With Argentina on a couple of quick yellow cards, South Korea seemed to have a little more room to move for a moment and Yeom Ki-Hun may well hold his head in his hands after missing a left-foot shot with just Romero to beat; just before the hour.

Fifteen minutes later, when South Korea felt they might have had a chance to level the scores, Argentina extended their lead on a fast counter-attack.

Lionel Messi saw Jung Sung-Ryong save the initial shot with his foot but was quick enough to follow up. That shot hit the post and went behind the South korea goalkeeper for Higuain to tap in and join Diego Forlan on two goals.

Four minutes later, Messi and Higuain combined again; Messi chipping the ball in for Gonzalo Higuain to head his hat-trick and top the goalscorers chart.

So, six points for Argentina and South Korea have to do it all again against Nigeria.

Argentina 4 South Korea 1