World Cup – Day 12, Group B

Argentina had locked second place (and advancement), and would be first unless they were to lose.  But the second qualifier was up for grabs when play started.

Argentina 2 – Greece 0

Argentine wonder boy Lionel Messi didn’t score, but he controlled much of the match.  Greece played defense and counter tactics, and some of their counters had venom, but the match was played primarily in the Greek half. Argentina had chances throughout, but didn’t breakthrough until 77′ when Argentine defender Martin DiMichelis slotted home a friendly bounce off a corner.  The second Argentine goal on 89′ came when Martin Palermo side-footed home a rebound from a blocked Messi shot.

Nigeria 2 – South Korea 2

This was a tense, entertaining game. Japan gave up an early goal when Kalu Uche beat the Japan defense to a nice cross and put it home.  Japan leveled in the 39th minute when Lee Jung Soo made a far post run and got on the end of a very nicely delivered free kick.  They took the lead just after halftime when Park Chu Young scored what I think is the first free kick goal of the tournament from just outside the left corner of the box. 20 minutes later Nigerian Yakubu scored a penalty given up after an uncharacteristic Korean mental error.

So Argentina advance first having run the table, and will play Mexico on Sunday (27-June). South Korea advance in second with 4 points and play Uruguay on Saturday (26-June).