Match Day Seven

THALEFANG CHARLES | Thursday June 17, 2010 00:00

 

Argentina 4 - South Korea 1 Gonzalo Higuain scored the tournament's first hat-trick as the south Americans demolished South Korea in an entertaining match at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. The result means that Argentina is through to the next round with six points from two games. Argentina's first goal came from Park Chu-Young as he failed to deal with a cross and put a ball into his own net. Higuain opened his account in the 33rd minute with a header. Lee Chung-Yong pulled one back after Argentinean defensive error. In the second half Argentina continued their impressive football and Huguain got his second goal with a tap-in after 76 minutes. Four minutes later Huguain completed his hat-trick when he converted a header. From their outstanding football display Diego Maradona's men are tipped to go all way.

Greece 2 - Nigeria 1 Yet another African team failed to get a commendable result in Africa's first World Cup as Greece denied Nigeria to get at least a point from two matches. Although Nigeria opened the scoring with Kalu Uch's free kick in the 16th minute Greece came from behind to win the match. Nigeria's Sani Kaita was sent off in the 33rd minute for kicking Vassilis Torosidis when the ball was out of play. Dimitris Salpingidis put his name in Greek records when he scored his country's first ever World Cup goal in the 44th minute. Torosidis second the goal in the 71st minute. Tied on three points with South Korea, Greece would face the high flying Argentina on Tuesday in Polokwane.

France 0 - Mexico 2 The 1998 champions, France are faced with an early exit after losing to the good Mexican side in a match that was played at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. The Mexican win also shut down the doors for the hosts South Africa from proceeding to the next round. South Africa is now trailing at the bottom of Group A with only a point while Uruguay and Mexico are leading the group with four points each. France is ahead of South Africa on goal difference as both are equal with a point each. Mexico's goals came in the second half. Javier Hernandez beat the off-side trap as well as the keeper in the 64th minute. The second goal came from a spot kick by Cuauhtemoc Blanco after France's Eric Abidal brought down Pablo Barrera in the box. France are still to win a match in this finals.