World Cup Digest: Day 7
Credit:
Day 7 of the World Cup was, without doubt, the most entertaining day
of this summer’s tournament so far. In yesterday’s three games, a total of ten
goals were scored as Gonzalo Higuain bagged the first hat-trick of the
tournament in a comfortable 4-1 win for Argentina against South Korea.
Greece gave themselves a real chance of progressing to the last 16
with a 2-1 against Nigeria while France look to be heading home early
after they were beaten 2-0 by Mexico.
Argentina 4-1 South Korea
In the opening game of the day, Argentina ran out 4-1 winners against a South Korean side who simply couldn’t cope with the quality of Gonzalo Higuain and co. Diego Maradona’s men took the lead with just over quarter of an hour on the clock at the impressive Soccer City stadium. Park Chu-young unfortunately turned the ball into his own net after Lionel Messi delivered a beautifully flighted free-kick into the Korean box.
The side who many believe have a real chance of going all the way this summer doubled their lead soon after when Real Madrid striker Higuain headed in his first goal of the game. Argentina looked to be in cruise control. However, their suspect defending was punished just before the half-time whistle as Lee Chung-yong stole in to make the score line 2-1 at the break.
Argentina continued to control things after the break and it was perhaps surprising that they had to wait until the 75th minute before they made sure of their win. Messi saw his effort bounce off the post and into the path of Higuain who made no mistake from just two-yards out. The hat-trick was complete just minutes later when he headed home after some neat link-up play between the manager’s son-in-law, Sergio Aguero, and the brilliant Messi.
Greece 2-1 Nigeria
Nigeria went into this game as narrow favourites as both sides went in search of their first points of this summer’s World Cup. And they opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Kalu Uche’s well- taken free-kick put Lars Lagerback’s men ahead but the game was turned on its head just after the half hour mark when Nigeria were reduced to ten men. Sani Kaita was sent off after his bizarre kick- out at the Greek midfielder Vasilis Torosidis resulted in him being shown a straight red card.
Just ten minutes after Kaita was shown the red card, Greece equalised. Damitris Salpingidis’ strike in the 44th minute was the first ever goal Greece had scored at a World Cup finals. They were in front half-way through the second-half when Torosidis reacted quickest to the Nigeria keeper Vincent Enayama spilling the ball from his grasp. Greece managed to hold out in the closing quarter of an hour to earn their first every victory in a World Cup finals and now they are in with a great shot of making it to the last 16 in the tournament.
France 0-2 Mexico
Irish eyes were smiling as France were beaten 2-0 by an impressive Mexico side who look as though they could go a long way in this tournament. In a cagey opening to the game, neither side really threatened and as a result, it was no surprise to see the sides going into the break all square.
Javier Hernandez, the player who Manchester United recently signed for a fee of £10 million, opened the scoring with 25 minutes to go in the game. The Mexican striker managed to beat the French off-side trap to leave himself in acres of space before he duly rounded Hugo Lloris to give his side the lead. Mexico all but sealed the three points when Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted from the spot after Eric Abidal had brought Pablo Barrero down in the French penalty area.
The result leaves France with a mountain to climb if they are to progress to the last 16 in this World Cup.
Argentina 4-1 South Korea
In the opening game of the day, Argentina ran out 4-1 winners against a South Korean side who simply couldn’t cope with the quality of Gonzalo Higuain and co. Diego Maradona’s men took the lead with just over quarter of an hour on the clock at the impressive Soccer City stadium. Park Chu-young unfortunately turned the ball into his own net after Lionel Messi delivered a beautifully flighted free-kick into the Korean box.
The side who many believe have a real chance of going all the way this summer doubled their lead soon after when Real Madrid striker Higuain headed in his first goal of the game. Argentina looked to be in cruise control. However, their suspect defending was punished just before the half-time whistle as Lee Chung-yong stole in to make the score line 2-1 at the break.
Argentina continued to control things after the break and it was perhaps surprising that they had to wait until the 75th minute before they made sure of their win. Messi saw his effort bounce off the post and into the path of Higuain who made no mistake from just two-yards out. The hat-trick was complete just minutes later when he headed home after some neat link-up play between the manager’s son-in-law, Sergio Aguero, and the brilliant Messi.
Greece 2-1 Nigeria
Nigeria went into this game as narrow favourites as both sides went in search of their first points of this summer’s World Cup. And they opened the scoring in the 16th minute. Kalu Uche’s well- taken free-kick put Lars Lagerback’s men ahead but the game was turned on its head just after the half hour mark when Nigeria were reduced to ten men. Sani Kaita was sent off after his bizarre kick- out at the Greek midfielder Vasilis Torosidis resulted in him being shown a straight red card.
Just ten minutes after Kaita was shown the red card, Greece equalised. Damitris Salpingidis’ strike in the 44th minute was the first ever goal Greece had scored at a World Cup finals. They were in front half-way through the second-half when Torosidis reacted quickest to the Nigeria keeper Vincent Enayama spilling the ball from his grasp. Greece managed to hold out in the closing quarter of an hour to earn their first every victory in a World Cup finals and now they are in with a great shot of making it to the last 16 in the tournament.
France 0-2 Mexico
Irish eyes were smiling as France were beaten 2-0 by an impressive Mexico side who look as though they could go a long way in this tournament. In a cagey opening to the game, neither side really threatened and as a result, it was no surprise to see the sides going into the break all square.
Javier Hernandez, the player who Manchester United recently signed for a fee of £10 million, opened the scoring with 25 minutes to go in the game. The Mexican striker managed to beat the French off-side trap to leave himself in acres of space before he duly rounded Hugo Lloris to give his side the lead. Mexico all but sealed the three points when Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted from the spot after Eric Abidal had brought Pablo Barrero down in the French penalty area.
The result leaves France with a mountain to climb if they are to progress to the last 16 in this World Cup.
About Cathal Breathnach
Cathal Breathnach is one of Extratime.ie's Dublin reporters. Since joining the site back in 2010, Cathal has had the privilege of interviewing a number of Irish internationals including Robbie Keane and Shane Long and was … View Full Profile