(CNN) -- Gonzalo Higuain scored the first hat-trick of the 2010 World Cup as Diego Maradona's Argentina took a big step towards qualifying for the second round by crushing South Korea 4-1 in Johannesburg on Thursday. In a tournament so far largely lacking attacking flair, the South Americans showed fine style in following up their 1-0 opening Group B victory against Nigeria, who later slipped to their second defeat as they went down 2-1 to Greece in the second match of the day in Bloemfontein. Argentina's winning margin was the second-highest so far at the South African event, behind only Germany's 4-0 thrashing of Australia.
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Argentina on course for second round of World Cup after defeating South Korea 4-1
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Striker Gonzalo Higuain scores the first hat-trick of the tournament in South Africa
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South Korea concede early own-goal but pull back to 2-1 down at halftime
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NEW: Greece beat 10-man Nigeria 2-1 in the second Group B match on Thursday
Argentina
Argentina
Argentina
The results mean @placeholder are all but assured of qualification for the last 16, but still need a point in their final group game against Greece to make absolutely sure.
Greece
Greece
The results mean Argentina are all but assured of qualification for the last 16, but still need a point in their final group game against @placeholder to make absolutely sure.