Within the opening minute, Messi drives forward and forces a corner for Argentina, immediately putting Korea under pressure.

Messi wins the ball and helps launch an attack that ends with Higuaín firing over from just inside the box on the right.

Yeom Ki-Hun rugby-tackles Messi during an Argentina break and is booked early for a blatant foul on the playmaker.

During an Argentina counter, Messi tries to drive forward but is muscled off the ball by defender Cho Yong-Hyung.

From a left-side free kick, Messi swings in a dangerous cross that Park Chu-Young misjudges and deflects into his own net for Argentina’s opener.

Messi is chopped down by Cho Yong-Hyung, winning another free kick after a driving run.

Messi rolls a layoff from a free kick to Tevez, whose venomous strike from distance whistles just over the bar.

Messi sprints back about 50 yards to dispossess Park Ji-Sung, then launches a counter by feeding Tevez down the left, though Tevez loses control.

Dropping deep to collect the ball, Messi surges forward, exchanges passes with Tevez, slaloms past defenders and dinks a delicate chip that drifts just wide of the far post.

Right after the restart, Higuaín tees up Messi in the box, but Messi fails to get a clean shot away from about 12 yards.

Messi combines fluently with Tevez and Higuaín as Argentina pour forward, their interchanges making the attack look menacing every time.

After winning a soft free kick, Messi chips the ball into the box, but neither Higuaín nor Tevez can make contact and goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong gathers.

Messi drives a crisp move, seeing his first shot saved before a second effort from a tight angle cannons off the near post and falls perfectly for Higuaín to tap in Argentina’s third.

On a sweeping break, Messi threads a perfect pass to Agüero on the left, and Agüero clips a sublime cross onto Higuaín’s head for his hat-trick and Argentina’s fourth.

Late on, Messi continues to torment Korea’s defence, carrying the ball dangerously and giving the impression Argentina might score every time he advances.

As the match ends, Messi’s overall performance stands out alongside Tevez and Mascherano, his constant influence underscoring Argentina’s dominant display.