Argentina dealt a hammer blow to South Korea as they notched up a 4-1 victory in a Group B match of the World Cup on Thursday.

The Argentines were in control of the game with their world class players Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain all getting into the rhythm quickly.X Argentina shaped up in their 4-3-3 formation, while South Korea, as their coach Huh Jung Moo said before the match, packed the defence early on.

But South Korea's defence failed to hold out the Albiceleste side as at the 17th minute Lionel Messi delivered a free-kick, Martin Demichelis flicked it on and Park Chu Young deflected in an own goal.

Argentina went on to make it two at the 33rd minute when Gonzalo Higuain headed home a power shot.

However, unremitting South Koreans never gave up and they were paid off in the additional time of the first half when Lee Chung Yong scored an easy goal.

Argentina continued their dominance in the second half. At the 76th minute, Messi made to the box and his shot hit the bar before Real Madrid forward Higuain found an empty net and scored his second goal.

Game was not over. At the 80th minute, Argentina made it 4-1. Talisman Messi still played a pivotal role as he slipped the ball to Kun Aguero, who curled a cross and Higuain powered home a header to finish his hat trick.

This was the 48th hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup and Higuain became the third Argentine to achieve the feat, following Guillermo Stabile and Gabriel Batistuta.

Argentina now put six points to the billboard, well poised to book the first place in last 16. If a later duel between Greece and Nigeria ends with a draw, Argentina will be ensured the berth.

This was the second meeting between the two sides. Their first clash was in 1986 World Cup, where Argentina took a 3-1 victory.