FIFA World Cup 2010: Greeks Smashing Plates, but Group B Isn't Over

The real World Cup is upon us. After the phony war of the opening games, the goals are flying thick and fast as the second round demands blood, guts, and victories.

For Greece and Nigeria, the Group B warning had already been fired in emphatic fashion by Argentina on day seven of the World Cup. Argentina beat South Korea 4-1 in South Africa 2010’s first five-goal showdown. Then the Greeks edged out the 10-man Nigeria 2-1 to the din of smashing plates across the world.

But they’d best not celebrate too soon—all four teams can still qualify from Group B.

A surprisingly big turnout of 31,593 in chilly Bloemfontein saw Nigeria, with huge migrant support, start the scoring through Kalu Uche, whose free kick wormed its way through a busy box and into the net after just 16 minutes.

But Greece—also blessed with a huge ex-pat community in South Africa—didn’t collapse as they did against South Korea in their opening game. Their cause was helped by Sani Kaita’s needless red card in the 33rd minute for kicking out at Vassilis Torosidis. Referee Oscar Ruiz was left with no option.

The Greeks relished playing against 10 men. First, Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras had his effort cleared off the line by midfielder Haruna Lukman. With the first half nearly done, Dimitris Salpingidis fired home—but only after a huge deflection off the luckless Lukman.

And the winner came as an embarrassment to the excellent Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. After a series of stunning saves he could only palm out midfielder Alexandros Tzioli’s shot. Torosidis finished the play and sent Greece into raptures.

Enyeama, brilliant in the 1-0 defeat against Argentina, simply held his head. That Jabulani ball has plenty more to offer as the World Cup hits top gear. We saw just 25 goals in the 16 first wave matches—a record low—but there have been 11 in the first three second wave matches.

Interestingly though, the Nigerians are still in it, despite being pointless after two games. Thanks to Enyeama restricting the Argentines to one goal at Ellis Park, a win by more than two goals against South Korea in Durban on June 22 could put them through as runner-up. But that’s assuming Argentina could be bothered to beat Greece on the same day in Polokwane.

Diego Maradona’s men crushed South Korea 4-1 in the highest-scoring encounter of the tournament so far in the early kick-off. And of course, the South Koreans defeated Greece in their opening game, while Nigeria lost to Argentina.

Gonazalo Higuain was the hero of the hour—and takes his place at the top of the scorers’ list with a hat-trick.

Born in Brest, France, the 22-year-old chose to play for his father’s Argentina instead of his native France. And before this game, the Real Madrid striker was quoted as saying: “I’m sure the goals will come.”

El Pipita did just that. After Park Cho Yung’s opening own goal for Argentina, Higuain headed his side into what looked a comfortable lead after 32 minutes. Korea pulled one back just before the break when a defensive error—which could be Argentina's Achilles heel—let Lee Chong Yong in.

But Higuain had soon restored the two-goal cushion, finishing easily after Lionel Messi had hit a post—and he completed his hat-trick and the World Cup’s best scoreline so far with Sergio Aguero, Diego Maradona’s brother-in-law, setting up the goal.

All inspired, of course, by the little genius Messi. And the equally tiny coach Maradona, who was leaping about on the sidelines.

Argentina has all but won this group. But the battle for second will rage on.

Neal Collins (nealcol on Twitter) is in South Africa to promote his first novel A GAME APART, the World Cup book you must read. For more information see www.nealcollins.co.uk . If you think the Scottish bagpipes should be banned rather than the Vuvuzela, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1hrMRk5FnY .