Argentina 4 South Korea 1: Higuain helps himself to hat-trick in emphatic Argentina win

Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick as Argentina all but assured themselves a place in the last 16 with an impressive victory over South Korea at Soccer City.

Diego Maradona's men were on top from the time they took the lead through Park Chu-young's own goal in the 17th minute.

Higuain doubled the advantage after 33 minutes, but a lapse in concentration from Martin Demichelis on the stroke of half-time allowed Lee Chung-yong to give his side hope.

After briefly threatening a comeback early in the second half, the Koreans faded thanks to a double from Real Madrid striker Higuain which ensured his side took maximum points from their opening two fixtures.

Maradona, who on Wednesday took a swipe at fellow legends Pele and Michel Platini, took the time to apologise to the UEFA president for his comments after the game.

And Maradona had reason to be happy after the South Americans' dominant display. The only blemish for Argentina was conceding a goal just before the interval after a lapse in concentration by Martin Demichelis. But Maradona said: "Demichelis made a mistake, but I guess the whole team did a top job.

"I have 23 top players in my squad and they're ready to put on the jersey and work on the pitch. We feel great. We are happy and we have peace of mind."

As for his comments regarding Platini - who reportedly made negative remarks about him - Maradona revealed that he was misinformed after receiving a letter from the French legend which shed more light on the matter. He added: "The other day I spoke about Mr Platini. Mr Platini sent me a letter saying that he never said what you (the media) told me he said.

"So, through you, I would like to apologise to Mr Platini."

Korean coach Huh Jung-moo felt his side did well and pointed towards a missed chance early in the second half as the turning point of the game.

Yeom Ki-hun should have drawn his side level after 55 minutes but could only find the side-netting.

Huh said: "In the second half, when Argentina were slowing down a little bit, Yeom Ki-hun, if he had made the goal I think we would have managed to change the flow of the game.

"We did manage to control the flow of the game at that stage, but I think that was the decisive turning point.

"It was a very important juncture for us."

The first goal camer from a well-flighted free-kick from Barcelona forward Messi on the left which Park Chu-young deflected into his own net.

The lead was extended when a short free-kick on the left saw Maxi Rodriguez's ball into the box flicked on by Nicolas Burdisso to Higuain, who put his free header beyond the helpless Jung Sung-ryong. As half-time approached Demichelis took his eye off a header from Park Chu-young, allowing Bolton midfielder Lee to nip in and score.

But after Yeom Ki-hun's miss South Korea scarcely threatened again and Argentina restored their two-goal cushion when Messi, having had an initial shot blocked by Jung, hit the base of the left upright with his follow-up and the ball fell to Higuain for a simple tap-in.

That was in the 76th minute and four minutes later he completed his hat-trick after nodding in Sergio Aguero's cross at the back post.