DAY 7 REVIEW

As the first week of the 2010 World Cup drew to a close, Argentina finally turned on the style following a patchy opening win over Nigeria, and showed why many pundits and fans alike are tipping them as potential winners. Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain scored what will probably be the easiest hat-trick you will ever see, such was the support he received from the imperious Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, and later, Sergio Aguero. And last season's 30 goal, Inter Milan star striker Diego Milito, hasn't even kicked a ball in anger yet! They are as good as qualified, barring a dramatic swing in goal difference. And with the ponderous and defensive Greeks next up, that seems unlikely. Higuain's treble is the first in the World Cup since Pauleta's three goals helped Portugal beat Poland in their ultimately unsuccessful campaign in 2002. Argentina dominated from almost the first whistle to the last, bar from a spell just after half-time when South Korea were pushing for an equaliser, but a 4-1 scoreline did their superiority justice. They took the lead after 16 minutes. Messi whipped in a gorgeous right footed free-kick from the left, which the unfortunate Park Chu-Young could only divert into his net from inside the six yard box. The Asians wre offering little going forward, and it was no surprise when the lead was doubled ten minutes before half-time. Messi was involved again, engineering a quick free-kick with Maxi Rodriguez, and the Liverpool winger's cross was flicked on by Nicolas Burdisso, leaving Higuain the simple task of nodding into the corner of the net. The South Americans kept pressing, and flying wingfer Angel di Maria brought the best out of Korean keeper Jung Sung-Ryong, before Messi dazzled the watching world once again. Receiving the ball halfway inside the Korean half, he set off towards goal, beating a string of defenders before dinking a shot that had Jung grasping a thin air, but it sailed just wide. But just as it looked like Argentina could relax, we saw an example of what might prove their undoing against better countries. On the stroke of half-time, defender Martin Demichelis dallied on the ball, unsure whether he should clear his lines or pass back to the goalkeeper. He did neither, and Bolton's impressive winger Lee Chung-Yong nipped in and dinked the ball over the keeper Sergio Romero. After the break, the Koreans certainly showed more intent as they sensed an unlikely draw. After Jung saved well from Higuain and Tevez, Yeom Ki-Hun wasted a glorious chance as he fired wide after Lee's clever pass put him through one-on-one with Romero. And he was made to pay the price minutes later, as Messi's fine one-two with substitute Aguero saw his first shot well saved by Jung, his second strike the post and roll across the goalline to give Higuain probably the easiest goal of his career. But their brilliant strikeforc saved their best until last. And who instigated the move - you guessed it, a certain Lionel Messi. And who says he doesn't perform for his country. An outrageous chipped pass set Aguero free on the left of the penalty area, and his lofted ball back across goal was headed into the corner by Higuain. This was probably the game of the tournament so far, and Argentina followed Germany in really laying down a marker of their World Cup credentials.

The second game in Group B today was a damp squib in comparison, and it hitched on an extraordinary piece of indiscipline by one of the Nigerian players with half-time approaching. From the first few minutes of the encounter in Bloemfontein, it was clear this was not going to be a classic. Both teams could barely string a pass together, and it was no surprise that the opening goal came about in freak circumstances. With barely a chance of note to write about, Nigeria were awarded a free-kick after 16 minutes towards the left-hand touchline. Kalu Uche swung the ball in, but his free-kick avoided everyone and went straight in past the unsighted Greek keeper Alexandros Tzorvas, and the midfielder Kostas Katsouranis made the curious decision to duck right in front of him. There seemed little way the Greeks would get back in the game, with their unadventurous formation of three centre backs, two full backs who barely crossed the halfway line, and two deep, sitting, central midfielders - until a moment of madness from Sani Kaita, the Nigerian midfielder. With Vasileios Torosidis shielding the ball out of play, Kaita completely lost his cool, and kicked out at Torosidis with his studs showing after the ball had already gone out of play. The Mexican referee had no choice but to brandish his red card, and the youngster was in tears as he trudged off the pitch. From the neutral's point of view, it was just what the game needed, and just the invitation Greek coach Otto Rehhagel needed to inject some much needed attacking impetus into his team. The defensive Sokratis Papastathopoulos was replaced by striker Giorgios Samaras, and Greece were transformed. Nigeria keeper Vincent Enyeama, previously a spectator, saved well from striker, Dimitrios Salpingidis, before he was beaten from the edge of the area by a deflected shot from the same player, off the unfortunate Lukman Haruna. The game was an exciting spectacle, and Greece continued in the same vein, with Giorgios Karagounis and Sotirios Kyrgiakos going close, before an extraordinary minute in which both sides should have taken the lead. Theofanis Gekas brought an excellent save out of Enyeama after Joseph Yobo's poor header, before the Africans broke with devestating speed. Substitute Chinesu Ogbuke Obasi surged clear and set up Yakubu, who saw his shot saved by Tzorvas, before Obasi contrived to miss the rebound with an open goal. Greece regained the initiative and went for the proverbial jugular. Enyeama saved brilliantly from Torosidis, but he was culpable forthe winner from the same player minutes later. Alexandros Tziolis fired in a shot from a corner which was partially cleared, but the previously unflappable Enyeama spilled the shot into the path of Torosidis, who tucked it into the corner. There was no way back for the tiring Nigerians, and Nigeria held on comfortably. But there is still hope for the Africans - a win against South Korea and a favour from Argentina could see them progress, while Greece may need to beat the mighty Argentine's to seal their unlikely passage to the next round.

Day seven ended with what seemed like a repeat of 2002 all over again, as Mexico defeated France to leave Les Bleus on the brink of World Cup elimination. On the face of it, this looked like a huge shock. But, when you delve beneath the surface, the Central Americans 2-0 win was not a huge surprise. They have qualified for the knock out stages of every World Cup since 1994, and we saw in their recent friendly defeat by England that they can play a bit. And France are in disarray. Coach Raymond Domenech has already been replaced by Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc for after the World Cup. Reports of a dressing room bust-up with midfielder Florent Malouda, picking teams due to the players' star signs. France has regressed a long way in the past decade, since their golden generation won them the World Cup and European Championships. Their appearance in the 2006 World Cup final was more luck than judgment, with just the one good performance. Their performance against Mexico was flat, and lacking in creativity. Nicolas Anelka looked forlorn up front on his own, and his half-time replacement Andre-Pierre Gignac fared little better. The brilliant Franck RIbery struggled to make an impact on the game, as it was Mexico who carved out the better chances. Giovani dos Santos was a constant menace, but it was left-back Carlos Salcido who came closest to scoring in the first half. First he shot wide from outside the area, and then he skipped past Eric Abidal, and France captain William Gallas inexplicably backed off him, allowing him to get a shot in from close range which keeper Hugo Lloris did well to save. The second half meandered along, before two positive substitutions changed the course of the game. Manchester United bound Javier Hernandez and the veteran bad boy Cuauhtemoc Blanco were summoned from the bench, and within minutes coach Javier Aguirre's positivity was rewarded with the opening goal. Captain Rafael Marquez chipped a ball through, and the offside trap was ruined by Eric Abidal, allowing Hernandez to run through, round Lloris and slot into the empty net. There was no way back for the 1998 World Champions, and with just over then minutes left, the game was put to bed. Fellow substitute Pablo Barrera skinned Patrice Evra, and was then brought down in the box. Veteran Blanco stepped up, with a massive run up, and made no mistake as he buried the ball into the bottom corner, leaving France with a mountain to climb for the dubious honour of facing Argentina in the second round. It's hard to see where France will get a goal at the moment, let alone a win.


PLAYER OF THE DAY - Lionel Messi

If you'd looked at the scoreline without watching the match, you would have said hat-trick hero Gonzalo Higuain must have been the star player of the day. But Argentina's win was all about Lionel Messi (well mostly, anyway!) He set up the first with an excellent free-kick, he was involved in the second after his quick free-kick set up Maxi Rodriguez's cross, his one-two with Sergio Aguero led to the fourth, and his audacious chip played in Aguero to cross for the fourth. Oh, and he had time to dance through the Korean defence and dink just wide, for what would have been a fabuolous goal. Rarely has a player been so outstanding without scoring.

GOAL OF THE DAY - Gonzalo Higuain (third goal).

Argentina really did leave the best until last. Messi again picked up the ball between the Korean midfield and defence, and set off towards goal. But, as it looked like he was going to take on the last line of Korea's defence, he lofted a lovely pass into the path of Aguero, who in turn, caressed the ball back into the penalty area for Higuain to nod home, and complete his hat-trick. Argentina have arrived!

GAFFE OF THE DAY - Sani Kaita.

There were many candidates today - Park Chu-Young, Martin Demichelis, Alexandros Tzorvas, Chinesu Ogbuke Obasi and Vincent Enyeama. But the award has to go to Nigeria midfielder Kaita, for his foolish petulence which cost his team the match, and possibly a place in the second round. The Africans were crusing along after 35 minutes, until Kaita kicked out at Vasileios Torosidis for no apparent reason. From there, it was all down hill for Nigeria, as coach Lars Lagerback could only look on in despair.

COACH OF THE DAY - Javier Aguirre

The wiley Mexican changed the course of the game with his positive substitutions. The first substitution, seeing Barrera coming on for the injured Carlos Vela, was enforced, but all three who entered a fray had a direct impact on the goals which put Mexico on the brink of qualifying for the second round. Instead of settling for a draw against the group favourites, Aguirre went for a win, andf his team got their just rewards. It should be applauded in what has been a conservative tournament so far.

SMUG GIT OF THE SAY - Sir Alex Ferguson

Yes, he's unearthed another gem. Mr Ferguson will have been looking on in South Africa with delight as Javier Hernandez strutted his stuff. In the 35 minutes he saw of the Mexican, it will have been clear he has a future star in the making coming into his ranks. The coolness he displayed in beating the offside trap, and keeping his composure to round Hugo Lloris and slot into the empty net, belied his youth. He may have a significant role to play at Old Trafford next season.


MOMENT OF THE DAY - Argentina.

We knew they had it in them. Diego knew they had it in them. Hell, even they knew they had it in them. But it was a joy to behold as this immensely talented Argentina team finally clicked, following their poor qualifcation campaign and edgy opening win other Nigeria. Mr Maradona would probably be granted a place in this team, but only just! That's obviously an exagerration, but you get the point. With a front three of Messi, Higuain and Tevez, Aguero had to be content with a place of the bench, while Diego Milito, fresh from scoring both goals in the Champions League final less than a month ago, hasn't even got onto the field yet! They are going to be a fearsome prospect for whoever they come up against in South Africa. Their defence may not be the tightest - but the chances are, if they carry on this form, they're going to outscore their opponents anyway! Perhaps they could lend him to England for the next month?!

FANTASY TEAM

Unfortunately I had no representatives from my fantasy team take to the field on day seven. I wouldn't have minded having Higuain, Messi and/or Aguero in my team though!