Argentina produced a fluent, attacking and decisively dangerous performance to beat South Korea, sending a warning and reminding its competitors they too need to be reckoned with.
After scraping through qualifying, Diego Maradona’s side put on arguably the best performance of the competition to date – perhaps behind Germany’s 4-0 thrashing of Australia because of the defensive presentation.
Other than a slack moment from Martin Demichelis on the break and a couple of other nervy patches to start the second half, Argentina’s performance was superb.
The flair and spark created through the centre of the park was a joy to behold, particularly in the first half.
With captain Javier Mascherano sitting in midfield, a quartet of stars put on a passing clinic similar to Germany, Netherlands, Brazil and to a lesser final result, Spain.
From Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Maxi Rodriguez and to some extent Carlos Tevez, Argentina holds a more than capable attacking threat.
The flair and fluency in the middle was highlighted through hat trick hero Gonzalo Higuain’s third goal.
A delicate pass through to the left from Messi found substitute Sergio Aguero, who in turn spotted Higuain to head home at the back post.
The introduction of Aguero is an example of the depth some of the best World Cup squads have.
Inter Milan defender Nicolas Burdisso was introduced when Walter Samuel was forced off with a hamstring injury.
Others on the bench were veterans Juan Sebastian Veron and Martin Palermo, as well as Inter Milan striker and Champions League hero Diego Milito.
The cover and concern for Maradona remains in defence with his three unused substitutes in the win over South Korea all applying their trade in the country’s domestic league.
Then there are the two men everyone now refers to in the same sentence – Maradona and Messi.
There’s something about the former and his managerial capacities.
In the tunnel before the game, he laid a friendly kiss on the cheek of each of his players.
He gets animated on the sideline and there’s no doubt his players respect him and he has a x-factor that’s hard to pinpoint.
If you need an introduction to Messi – best player in the world – quick, creative, goal scoring, dribbling and ball control exemplary, capable of producing moments of magic and a key to Argentina’s hopes.
The attacking display was brilliant to watch and showed Argentina can win this World Cup with a little bit of luck.
Goal of the day: Gonzalo Higuain’s third (Argentina) – simply brilliant team move.
Love to be: Otto Rehhagel (Greece) – football changes quickly and he responded with the substitute after the red card to turn the game.
Hate to be: Sani Kaita (Nigeria) – sent off on 33 minutes for kicking out at Greek opponent. His side led 1-0 at the time and went on to lose the game.
MVDave
Guest
Loved watching the Argies play...not only because they look so good going forward but because they look so dodgy at the back. With a little luck South Korea could have been level midway through the 2nd half. Should be a terrific 3rd round of games in this group.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Favourites? No. Can they win it? Yes. You create your own luck. Spain didn't whip balls into the area again Switzerland - in fact, they didn't even whip corners into the area - therefore, no chance of deflection. Different defences yes, but the ball from the left was quality. We've discussed the defensive frailties and you're right, they were on show last night and the back up is not great. Good point on Maradona's record, but passion and enthusiasm gets you somewhere - how far? Not sure. We'll see.
Derby County FC
Guest
Argentina beat a team ranked 40 places below them in the world cup and suddenly they're one of the favourites? One own goal and one off the post to luckily fall to another Argentine plus they looked very, very average at the back. South Korea had a few good chances, but you've gotta think that if Argentina come up against one of the big guns they'll struggle. Lastly, don't care what anyone says, Maradona is a poor coach, wears his heart on his sleave but that doesn't win matches as his coaching record shows. A career win % of 40!, draw % of 19 and loss of another 40%. Compare that to Capello who has a much higher number of games managed and his win percentage is 57!
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Thanks Greg. I think you're on to something - enthusiasm, passion of Maradona will rub off on his players. Do you think they can overcome Mexico / Uruguay? I think they would and should.
Greg
Guest
Great article Dejan. Argentina certainly ooze class AND depth, they are a joy to watch, and Maradona's enthusiasm is infectious (even if he is a bit of a tosser), I hope they don't have a repeat of 2006 when they meet a really good defensive team. Their round of 16 game will be a tough one against either Mexico or Uruguay.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Sorry Colin, my error - qualify for the World Cup rather than the Second Round. Which France really did, as you mention there and the Henry handball debacle.
Colin N
Guest
"Neither Australia nor France should struggle to qualify." Australia are worse on paper than Serbia and Ghana. Also, Serbia finished above France in their qualifying group.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Good call.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Odds on Uru vs Mexico being a draw and giving them both 5 points would be pretty short
Beaver fever
Guest
Well it appears you know exactly what he is up to !!, why are you visiting that site all the time, meanwhile it was a good goal, but pip is right, it was run of the mill for a good small forward -AFL, or other higher teir league.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Neither Australia nor France should struggle to qualify. They did. They really, really did and there's plenty of reported disharmony in the dressing rooms. They can still sneak through if URU beat MEX and they beat RSA by two or three goals - the problem? They haven't scored in two games!
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Well Blanc was already given the job for post world cup.... like Oz they should have replaced him prior.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
There's something about Maradona for me ... maybe it's just that I see Maradona and I'm looking for something? Defence is the problem, but at the same time, they look like a team who won't give you the ball. Spain's defence was sloppy too so perhaps it's Brazil and Germany holding the upper hand at the moment?
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Domenech has to go, surely?
Lu
Guest
lets not get a head of ourselves.. WC2006, they played awesome football, particularly during the 6-0 drubbing of Serbia & Montenegro.. then they got beat by Germaina in the qtrs This time they got crazy old man Maradona.. so who knows what's gonna happen.. Also Sergio Aguero is gonna be the next world superstar.. not for his awesome skills and talent, but because his father in law will ride his ass all the way to the top.. lol
whiskeymac
Guest
Domenech has an amazing array of talent at his disposal, in most positions, and has fluffed it again. Unlike Pim this guy cant blame the lack of depth or experience. Still am sure tequila is selling well in Dublin right now.
Al
Guest
They were extremely impressive in their fluidity and attacking prowess and have to now be considered one of the favourites.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Good game by Mexico this morning too, all but bundling France out. They played with a tempo that reminded me of the game against Argentina last WC. They can go far, but their keeper is bloody hopeless.
whiskeymac
Guest
Very impressive performance and a joy to watch, but i remember last WC they did the same sort of performances (smashed Serbia en route) before getting knocked out. they have the players (always have in fact) and the charisma when things are good, but do they have the coach when things don't quite work out, which they cld with allegedly slow centre backs or if one of the key players is sent off or injured or they come up against a team like Germany or Italy or Brasil?