Group B of the 2010 FIFA World Cup began on 12 June and ended on 22 June 2010.[1] The group consisted of Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea and Greece. It was the third time that Argentina and Nigeria had been drawn together in the same World Cup group, after 1994 (when Greece were also in the same group) and 2002. Argentina had also been paired with South Korea in 1986.
Argentina won all three of their matches, conceding just one goal, and progressed as group winners. South Korea joined them in the knockout stage by virtue of their victory over Greece in the opening match and a draw with Nigeria in the last. That point was the only one Nigeria won, having also lost to Greece in their second match.
Standings edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Argentina | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 |  South Korea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 4 | |
| 3 |  Greece | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 3 | |
| 4 |  Nigeria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 1 |
- Argentina advanced to play Mexico (runners-up of Group A) in the round of 16.
- South Korea advanced to play Uruguay (winners of Group A) in the round of 16.
Matches edit
All times local (UTC+2)
South Korea vs Greece edit
In the seventh minute, Ki Sung-yong's free kick near the left corner was inadvertently flicked on by Kostas Katsouranis, before Lee Jung-soo rushed to the back post to open the scoring.[2] The Koreans' lead was doubled through captain Park Ji-sung, who tackled Loukas Vyntra and sprinted all the way to fire a low shot into the corner of the net[2] as they kept their 2–0 win until the final whistle.
| South Korea | 2–0 | Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
          South Korea[4] |      Greece[4] |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Argentina vs Nigeria edit
On six minutes, an unmarked Gabriel Heinze dived forward to head home Juan Sebastián Verón's corner kick and put Argentina 1–0 up.[5] Lionel Messi had numerous chances for Argentina following that, but on each occasion, Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was able to keep the margin down to one.[6] Enyeama's saves earned him the man of the match award. Post-match, Argentina coach Diego Maradona said he was confident his side would perform well in the future.[6]
     Argentina[7] |     Nigeria[7] |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Argentina vs South Korea edit
Argentina took the lead when Lionel Messi's free kick from the left was turned into the Korean goal by Korean player Park Chu-young.[8] A free kick was awarded on the left, and Messi's cross was headed in by Gonzalo Higuaín. In first half injury time, Korea cut the deficit when Lee Chung-yong tackled Martín Demichelis to score.[8] Two goals from Argentina in the second half sealed a 4–1 win. Messi's shot was first saved by goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong; his second shot hit the post before Higuaín shot the ball into an unguarded net.[9] Higuaín completed his hat-trick by heading in a cross from substitute Sergio Agüero.[9]
| Argentina | 4–1 | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
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| Argentina[11] | South Korea[11] |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Greece vs Nigeria edit
     Greece[12] | Nigeria[12] |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Nigeria vs South Korea edit
| Nigeria | 2–2 | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
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| Nigeria[13] |     South Korea[13] |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
Greece vs Argentina edit
| Greece | 0–2 | Argentina |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
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| Greece[14] |      Argentina[14] |
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Man of the Match: Assistant referees: |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Match Schedule 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa" (PDF). FIFA.com (Press release). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
- ^ a b "South Korea 2-0 Greece".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Referee designations for matches 1-16" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 5 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group B – Korea Republic-Greece" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ^ Dawkes, Phil. "Argentina 1-0 Nigeria". BBC. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- ^ a b "Argentina 1-0 Nigeria | World Cup 2010 Group B". 12 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group B – Argentina-Nigeria" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Argentina 4-1 South Korea | World Cup 2010 match report". 17 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Argentina 4-1 South Korea".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Referee designations for matches 17-24" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group B – Argentina-Korea Republic" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group B – Greece-Nigeria" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group B – Nigeria-Korea Republic" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Tactical Line-up – Group B – Greece-Argentina" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 22 June 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2010.