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World Footballer of the Year- Lionel Messi, setup the match at the World Cup, against South Korea.The South Americans who faced a tough time in the qualification to the World Cup, showed no signs of that poor form. They sparkled in the midfield led by Messi, supported well by tevez and Angel Di Maria. Argentina scored 4 goals with Gonzalo Higuain scoring a hat-trick.
Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball as he is closed down by Lee Chung-Yong of South Korea during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Argentina and South Korea at Soccer City Stadium on June 17, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Maradona’s future son-in-law, Sergio Aguero, came on for Carlos Tevez and had an immediate impact on the game. He played a part in the last two goals of the four scored, by Argentina.
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France were faced with a surprising 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their second Group A game on Thursday.Substitute forward Javier Hernandez beat an offside trap, raced into the box unchallenged and twisted his way past France keeper Hugo Lloris to put Mexico ahead on 64 minutes.
Patrice Evra of France is challenged by Efrain Juarez and Rafael Marquez of Mexico during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group A match between France and Mexico at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 17, 2010 in Polokwane, South Africa.
Forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco doubled the advantage from the penalty spot on 79 minutes after Pablo Barrera was brought down by Eric Abidal.
Uruguay and Mexico top the group with four points each and will both qualify if they draw next week, eliminating in the process France and South Africa, both on one point.
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A moment of silliness by Nigeria’s Sani Kaita gave Greece a chance to score their first ever World Cup finals victory with a 2-1 win in Group B on Thursday.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos of Greece tackles Lukman Haruna of Nigeria during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group B match between Greece and Nigeria at the Free State Stadium on June 17, 2010 in Mangaung/Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Kaita was sent off in the 33rd minute with Nigeria already a goal ahead for shoving and kicking out at Vassilis Torosidis when the ball was out of play.
Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback said after the match:
“We started the game well, controlled the game, got the goal and then had a sending off. That caused us problems, especially in the first half. I couldn’t see what happened from my position, what I heard they said he kicked him with the underside of his shoe. I see the Greek player laying, holding his head, so I really don’t know. It looks very strange.”
With Kaita off the pitch, coach Otto Rehhagel replaced defensive midfielder Socratis Papastathopoulos with striker Giorgos Samaras, who minutes later had a shot cleared off the line.
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel said:
“We are going to take on Argentina, a world class team. They will clearly be better than us and we have got to see how to cope with them. We all know the Argentine team is of extraordinary quality.”
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June
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Categories: World Cup 2010
