JOHANNESBURG — Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat trick and Argentina beat South Korea 4-1 at the World Cup on Thursday, putting the South Americans on the brink of qualifying for the next round.

Argentina took the lead in the 17th minute when Park Chu-young deflected in a corner kick from Lionel Messi. Higuain made it 2-0 in the 33rd after Nicolas Burdisso passed along a cross from Maxi Rodriguez.

In first-half injury time, Lee Chung-yong pounced on a defensive mistake to close the gap, but Higuain’s two second-half goals — in the 76th and 80th minutes — put the game away.

Argentina leads Group B with six points off two victories. It could clinch a spot in the knockout round, depending on the outcome of the Nigeria-Greece match later Thursday.

Higuain’s second goal came off a great run by Messi, who had a shot blocked, got the rebound and hit the post with a second strike. The ball bounced to Higuain, who tapped it in. Four minutes later, Messi played the ball in to substitute striker Sergio Aguero, who crossed for Higuain to complete the rout.

Overall, the Argentines put on one of the best performances of the tournament, perhaps only challenged by Germany in its 4-0 win over Australia.

The match was played in a cold wind, and the second half saw the South Koreans emerge with more confidence after closing to 2-1. In the 58th minute, Yeom Ki-hun almost scored the tying goal, but his shot went just wide of the left-hand post.

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