The grim news for Argentina's opponents is that Lionel Messi, who has for so long been unable to reproduce his Barcelona form in a blue-and-white shirt, where he averages only a goal every three games, is on fire. He did not improve on that statistic in the opening match against Nigeria, although his display had everything else. And before preparing to face the South Koreans, Messi declared his mentality had changed and pledged to be more effective in front of goal. You have been warned.

It is not in the South Koreans' nature to be anything other than polite when interviewed and yet after an efficient 2-0 victory over a desperately poor Greece, there was plenty of optimism around Huh Jung-moo's team. Before flying to South Africa, the Koreans had played Spain at altitude in Switzerland as a dress rehearsal for this fixture and were only beaten by a late Jesus Navas goal in Innsbruck.

This is likely to be a far more difficult fixture for Argentina than it appears on paper. Their great advantage is that South Korea, having begun at sea level in Port Elizabeth, will have to move to altititudes of 1700m in Johannesburg. All that is required of Argentina is that they move across town from Ellis Park to Soccer City. Diego Maradona may, however, have to rethink using Newcastle's Jonas Gutierrez as a right wing-back since the Koreans have the pace and movement to exploit any defensive weaknesses. Defensively Huh's team is far better drilled than Nigeria. It should be tight but Argentina should still win.