In the World Cup Football on Thursday, Argentina thrashed South Korea 4-1, Greece beat Nigeria 2-1, and France suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Mexico. In a Group B match at Soccer City in Johannesburg, Argentina lit up the World Cup with the first hat-trick of the current tournament. Striker Gonzalo Higuain achieved the feat after Korean defender Park Chu Young scored an own goal in the 16th minute and put Argentina ahead. South Korea had pulled a goal back at the end of the first half through Lee Chung Yong. Argentina's brilliant victory, with World Player of the Year Lionel Messi orchestrating countless attaks from midfield, brought them close to early qualification for the second round and staked a claim to be the tournament favourites. They now lead the Group with six points from two games. In the second Group B encounter at Bloemfontein, Greece came back from a goal down to beat Nigeria 2-1. The African team had to play with 10 men for almost two-thirds of the game after midfielder Sani Kaita received his marching orders after he kicked out at opponent Vassils Torosidis. It is Greece's first ever win in World Cup Finals. Greece and South Korea both have three points while Nigeria are still without a point after two games in Group B. At Polokwane, France were threatened by an embarrassing early World Cup exit after a surprise 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their Group A game. The 1998 champions have just one point from two games before facing South Africa in their final pool match. Even a win might not be enough for them to qualify. Uruguay and Mexico who top the group with four points each will both qualify if they draw next week, eliminating in the process France and South Africa. Three matches are scheduled for on Friday in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Germany take on Serbia in Port Elizabeth at 1700 hours in Group 'D'. The other two encounters are in Group C. Slovenia meet the United States in Johanessburg at 1930 hours and England face Algeria in Cape Town at Midnight.