Thaindian News

By Abhishek Roy
Johannesburg, June 28 (IANS) Argentina’s latest poster boy Gonzalo Higuain stands a strong chance to surpass his coach, the legendary Diego Maradona, in this World Cup.

In four matches, Higuain has scored four goals and is among the seven Argentines, including Maradona (1986), to score four goals in one edition. The others are Guillermo Stabile (1930), Mario Kempes and Leopoldo Luque (1978), Jorge Valdano (1986) and Gabriel Batistuta (1994 and 1998).

Higuain has been in great form in this tournament and is the current top scorer as well. He scored a hat-trick against South Korea in the group stage and with Argentina in the quarterfinal, Higuain can well surpass his coach.

Higuain’s meteoric rise in the national team since making his debut for la Albiceleste in last October has prompted Maradona to compare this Real Madrid forward with the likes of Batistuta and Hernan Crespo.

Higuain also scored on his international debut against Peru to help Maradona’s side qualify for the World Cup finals.

“Higuain has qualities of both Bati and Crespo. He has a spectacular future and is living his best moments, I called him at the right time,” said Maradona.

Argentina’s win against Mexico at the Soccer City here Sunday was their 10 consecutive win in the World Cup and also their best in the history of the tournament. Their last defeat in the World Cup was in 2002 when they lost 1-0 to England.

For Mexico it was the fifth time in a row that they have been eliminated from the round of 16. In 2002, they were eliminated by Argentina, in 1998 by Germany and 1994 by Bulgaria on penalties.