JOHANNESBURG - Diego Maradona's Argentina are on the verge of a last 16 place at the World Cup after Thursday's 4-1 victory over South Korea as Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick.

Argentina lead Group B with six points from two games with Greece and South Korea on three and Nigeria last with no points.

"I have to commend my boys for the great job they have done, the only way South Korea would have made our lives difficult would have been if we had allowed them to," said Maradona.

"For example, if we gave them too much ball to control or space to run into or made a mistake like (defender Martin) Demichelis did.

"We were never worried about them and they never upset us."

Midfield maestro Lionel Messi was superb throughout as Argentina raced into a 2-0 first-half lead thanks to a header from Higuain and an own-goal by Korea's Park Chu-Young.

"It is a very important victory for us which puts us on the verge of the next round, we played a great match," said man-of-the-match Higuain.

"It was tough and we knew it would be hard but we managed to play our style and we will continue to do so."

Argentina went ahead when Monaco forward Park turned a free-kick by Messi into his own net on 17 minutes before Higuain's header extended the South American giants' lead with his first goal on 33 minutes.

South Korea's Lee Chung-Yong gave his side hope with a goal at the end of the first half to make it 2-1, but Messi-inspired Argentina were not to be denied.

Higuain made sure of the win with two goals in four minutes late in the second half in front of a 82,174-strong crowd at Soccer City.

"We played well but there were some things we lacked in our game and we missed opportunities," said South Korean coach Huh Jung-Moo. "I think we fought well against a side which boasts several star players and we have learned a lot from the game.

"Our next match against Nigeria is now extremely important and it will decide whether or not we reach the Round of 16."

Argentina meant business from the kickoff and took the lead when Messi's freekick deflected off Park's legs who could only watch in horror as the ball flew over the line.

Maradona then replaced the limping Walter Samuel with AS Roma's Nicolas Burdisso on 23 minutes.

Argentina extended the lead when Maxi Rodriguez's cross was flicked on by Burdisso for Higuain to beat Korean 'keeper Jung Sung-Ryong on 33 minutes before Lee's late effort gave the South Koreans hope for the second half.

Jung pulled off two great saves in quick succession early in the half: first from Higuain at close quarters after a good break from Angel Di Maria, a constant threat to the Korean defense, then Tevez after a long-range shot.

The only slight blemish on the Argentinians' day was Jonas Gutierrrez second booking of the tournament which will see the Newcastle United star miss the next game with Greece.

Higuain settled the contest after Messi beat two defenders in the box and squared for the Real forward to fire into an empty net on 76 minutes while Messi again played a hand in the fourth goal on 80 minutes to seal the win.

agence france-presse