Hungary shot to the top of FIFA U-20 World Cup Group E thanks to a fabulous showing from hat-trick hero Bence Mervo, seeing his side beat Korea DPR 5-1.

The powerful forward was unplayable all night as he tore in the Koreans' backline, and while An Ye Gun's side briefly drew level they were always second best, with the Europeans pulling out of sight with three second-half goals.

The game began as something of a slow burner, with Hungary in charge but with little penetration. Attila Osvath was first to test Cha Jong Hun in the Korea DPR goal, but the breakthrough came just six minutes later for the Magyars. A poor clearance by captain Kim Kuk Chol allowed Donat Zsoter to swing in a sumptuous cross which Mervo only had to glance into the far corner.

The Koreans were struggling to fashion many chances, but when they did they were invariably from free-kicks launched into the area, an approach which paid dividends. A high, searching pass found the head of So Jong Hyok. His flick was perfectly into the path of Choe Ju Song who was brave enough to volley beyond the oncoming Gyorgy Szekely.

It was parity that held for a matter of seconds, though. Hungary's next foray forward saw Krisztian Tamas charge down the left – where the first goal emanated from – and Zsolt Kalmar did well to climb highest when surrounded by goalkeeper and defender to reclaim the lead.

Korea could have gone in level on terms, with Ju Song spurning a great chance, but after the break the game got away from them. The game was effectively over when the pair who made the first goal combined again superbly. Zsoter plucked the ball out of the air and playing it into the feet of Mervo. He turned on a sixpence fantastically and slotted it into the corner.

An error by Jung Hun made the game safe as he misjudged a bouncing free-kick to allow David Forgacs to head into an empty net, but icing on the cake came as Mervo completed his treble. Picking the ball up in the area he danced around Jong Hun with sublimely quick feet, before curling in from a tight angle.