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Diego Maradona's Argentina started out as strong favourites to win this group along with Nigeria, one of Africa's strongest sides. The West Africans, however, slipped up against Greece, allowing South Korea to pinch second place.
2006 | World Cup Index | 2014
Argentina
Nigeria
Argentina turned in an impressive performance, outclassing the West African side and denying them scoring opportunities. They took the lead after just six minutes and could have had several more but for Enyeama in the Nigerian goal. Nigeria's only clear cut chances came in the closing stages, when both teams began to tire in the high altitude. Argentina, however, gave an object lesson in how to retain possession in the final minutes.
The game was enlivened by the antics of Maradona who dispensed vocal advice to his team and the match officials in equal measure.
Korea Republic
Greece
Playing neat, positive football, the South Koreans outplayed a ponderous Greek team, whose sole attacking tactic seemed to be to knock high balls from midfield over the heads of the Korean defensive line.
Greece
Nigeria
Nigeria seemed well on their way after taking the lead in the 16th minute through Kalu Uche after the Greek defenders failed to clear the ball. In the 34th minute Sani Kaita needlessly left his stud marks on Vasilis Torosidis after a tussle off the ball and was sent off. Greece pushed forward with their extra attacker and drew level just before half-time. A goal keeping error gave Torosidis the simplest of tap ins. This was the first time that Greece have won a game in the World Cup Finals.
Argentina
Korea Republic
Playing an attacking 4-3-3 formation, Argentina swept South Korea aside with Gonzalo Higuaín scoring a hat-trick. They did not have it entirely their own way, however, as with the score at 2-0, Lee Chung-yong stole the ball off Demichelis on the edge of the area and scored in the last seconds of the first half. The Koreans pushed forward early in the second half putting Argentina under sustained pressure. After 75 minutes Argentina made the game safe with a third goal, followed ten minutes later by Higuaín's third.
Nigeria
Korea Republic
Nigeria, despite being bottom of the group could have gone through if they won this match and if Argentina beat Greece. When Kala Uche put them ahead after just 12 minutes, this seemed more than a distant prospect but then Lee Jung-soo leveled the score shortly before half-time. With the scores level in Polokwane, there was still everything to play for but Park Chu-Young but Korea ahead four minutes into the second half. Nigeria equalised with a penalty in the 69th minute. The West Africans could not penetrate the Korean defence and were eliminated.
Greece
Argentina
Greece showed little or no ambition in this match even though they had a chance of going through to the next round if they could get a result. In the event the match was entirely dictated by Argentina who played with flashes of brilliance and were deserved victors.
(Stein Jacobsen)
Match by Match Reports
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