Yesterday's games were purely thrilling and after Uruguay's win against the hosts on Day 6, Mexico and France were left to battle it out to see what the teams would be required to do on their final games in Group A.
This was a game both the French and the Mexican's knew they had to win. Defeat would leave things very awkward in their final matches and this seemed to inspire both to drop their defensive tendencies and go for it.
France started the strongest but gradually, much against what all had predicted, it was Mexico that started to take control of the game. Their slick passing often finding spaces all around the leaking French backline and it was just surprising they didn't get anything for it in the first half.
By the second half though, the Mexican's finally got what they deserved. A delicate ball played over the static back line of the French and substitute Javier Hernandez - soon to be plying his trade at Manchester United - showed great composure to round one of the best keepers in the business and put the Mexican's 1 up.
This should have pumped the French up but instead, it was Mexico who got the second from the penalty spot. A darting run from Pablo Barrera ended when Eric Abidal took a lunge and brought him down. That was pretty much game set and match as 37-year-old Cuauhtemoc Blanco stepped up to convert the penalty. 2-0 Mexico!
The other two games of the day were also super exciting. Nigeria vs Greece had both teams going full pelt from the off and it was Nigeria who took the lead with one of those free kicks-come-crosses from 50 yards. Every player jumps, nobody touches it and it goes straight in (making the keeper look a little silly).
Till then, Nigeria had been the stronger of the two so deservedly took the lead but on 33 minutes, the game was around when Nigeria's Sani Kaita was sent off for, what looked like a kick-out at Vasileios Torosidis. Replays are inconclusive as to whether there was any contact, but it was still foolish of Kaita to raise his foot like that, after the two had tussled slightly on the side line.
From there, the game was all for Greeks to go out and win and so they did. The first came from a deflected strike from Dimitrios Salpingidis, right at the end of the first half and second was a tap in, after Nigeria keeper Enyeama spilt his save and the rebound was tucked in by Alexandros Tziolis, giving Greece their first ever World Cup win. You can imagine the celebrations ;)
Finally, Argentina and South Korea. Well, what can I say. Sunah and I watched at our local, which was understandably joyous and packed pull of expectant Korean fans and I wish I could make this blog a nice one for them to read (I'll try though, I promise, me and my bias little eyes ^^).
First and foremost, I'd just like to say that the final score, in my opinion (seriously), was not a fair reflection on how the game went. It may have been a fair score line when you look at things like possession, style of play and goal scoring opportunities, but as for the pattern of the game, I think it was a bit harsh and people, here in Seoul, were genuinely hurt.
After such a convincing performance against the Greeks, The Red Devils seriously thought they could have a fair crack at the Argies and although everyone here was saying it was impossible or that the best they could get was a draw, deep down, everyone believed an upset was possible. Especially after all the shenanigans with the Spaniards the night before and the French and Italians, the English... the list goes on.
All the talk prior to the game (in fact, since the draw was made back in December last year) had been about one thing in particular. How do we stop Messi? He's been the talk of the town since arriving in South Africa and today, he played in a slightly unfamiliar role, playing in the hole behind Higuain and Tevez.
It was a bit surprising to see him so deep and personally, I don't think that's his best position. He seemed to be floating around a little too much for my liking but still, when he did get the ball, it was, as many predicted, a joy to watch.
The two first goals came from Argentina. One from a Messi free kick which was very unfortunately turned in by Park Chu Young and another from a Messi cross, flicked over by Nicolas Burdisso and simply turned in at the back post by Higuain.
A rout was on the cards and South Korea needed something from somewhere and they almost got it with a spectacular drive from Celtic's Ki Sung Yeung (who many have labeled as the Korean Gerrard). Unfortunately, the shot, which was from almost 30 yards out just fizzed over the bar with Sergio Romero scrambling over but effectively beaten.
First and foremost, I'd just like to say that the final score, in my opinion (seriously), was not a fair reflection on how the game went. It may have been a fair score line when you look at things like possession, style of play and goal scoring opportunities, but as for the pattern of the game, I think it was a bit harsh and people, here in Seoul, were genuinely hurt.
After such a convincing performance against the Greeks, The Red Devils seriously thought they could have a fair crack at the Argies and although everyone here was saying it was impossible or that the best they could get was a draw, deep down, everyone believed an upset was possible. Especially after all the shenanigans with the Spaniards the night before and the French and Italians, the English... the list goes on.
All the talk prior to the game (in fact, since the draw was made back in December last year) had been about one thing in particular. How do we stop Messi? He's been the talk of the town since arriving in South Africa and today, he played in a slightly unfamiliar role, playing in the hole behind Higuain and Tevez.
It was a bit surprising to see him so deep and personally, I don't think that's his best position. He seemed to be floating around a little too much for my liking but still, when he did get the ball, it was, as many predicted, a joy to watch.
The two first goals came from Argentina. One from a Messi free kick which was very unfortunately turned in by Park Chu Young and another from a Messi cross, flicked over by Nicolas Burdisso and simply turned in at the back post by Higuain.
A rout was on the cards and South Korea needed something from somewhere and they almost got it with a spectacular drive from Celtic's Ki Sung Yeung (who many have labeled as the Korean Gerrard). Unfortunately, the shot, which was from almost 30 yards out just fizzed over the bar with Sergio Romero scrambling over but effectively beaten.
South Korea probed but it was Argentina with the more assured control and Messi once again wowed the crowd with a dazzling little run and a chip that was just pulled wide of Jung Sung-Ryong in the Korean goal.
The show really was belonging to Messi but with time running out at the end of the first half, South Korea sprung a little surprise on the Argies when Dimichelis was caught napping at the back by Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong, who nicked the ball off him on the edge of the box and finished with class, clipping a half volley with the outside of his boot, over the advancing Argentinean goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
That was the last action of the half and when the second half began, we saw a far more adventurous Korean side coming out of the blocks a little harder and faster then their Group B opponents. The quality possession still belonged to the South American's but slowly, the Koreans were ruffling a few of their feathers, including Messi who was getting ever more frustrated by the tight marking on him.
Gabriel Heinze saw a yellow too for ungentlemanly conduct by throwing the ball away before Yeom Ki-Hun had the chance to change the game around and write his name in the history books. A wonderfully placed through ball put him one on one with the keeper the but winger placed his shot wide with his left foot, when he probably should have used his right.
That was pretty much that and with the Korean's pushing for the equalizer, the Argies took full advantage of the spaces left at the back to hit them on the counter with two goals in quick succession. Both goals had Messi to thank (at some point in the move) and both were converted by Higuain who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup since Portugal's Pauleta in 2002.
Now, with the Greece vs Nigeria match finishing the way it did, South Korea have to beat the Nigerians or get at least the same result that the Greeks get against the Argentineans, who will more that likely be playing an under-strength side next week.
Man. What a day!
That was the last action of the half and when the second half began, we saw a far more adventurous Korean side coming out of the blocks a little harder and faster then their Group B opponents. The quality possession still belonged to the South American's but slowly, the Koreans were ruffling a few of their feathers, including Messi who was getting ever more frustrated by the tight marking on him.
Gabriel Heinze saw a yellow too for ungentlemanly conduct by throwing the ball away before Yeom Ki-Hun had the chance to change the game around and write his name in the history books. A wonderfully placed through ball put him one on one with the keeper the but winger placed his shot wide with his left foot, when he probably should have used his right.
That was pretty much that and with the Korean's pushing for the equalizer, the Argies took full advantage of the spaces left at the back to hit them on the counter with two goals in quick succession. Both goals had Messi to thank (at some point in the move) and both were converted by Higuain who became the first player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup since Portugal's Pauleta in 2002.
Now, with the Greece vs Nigeria match finishing the way it did, South Korea have to beat the Nigerians or get at least the same result that the Greeks get against the Argentineans, who will more that likely be playing an under-strength side next week.
Man. What a day!
there was way too much lolligagging about if you ask me!
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