By DPA,
Johannesburg : Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick, the first of the tournament, as Argentina took a giant step towards the football World Cup knockout stage Thursday with a comfortable 4-1 victory over South Korea to remain perfect in Group B.
An own goal by Park Chu Young opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Higuain made it 2-0 for the two-time world champions Argentina after 33 minutes in bitterly cold but sunny conditions at Johannesburg’s Soccer City.
Lee Chung Yong halved the deficit a minute into first half stoppage time. But Higuain added his second goal of the day in the 76th minute and completed the hat-trick in the 80th.
Argentina improved to six points in Group B and will book a spot in the Round of 16 should Greece and Nigeria play to a draw in Thursday’s other group match. South Korea remained on three points.