Magical Germany rout Argentina..

14:00 GMT, July 3, 2010
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa





Argentina
0 - 4
Germany

Six days after turfing England out of the World Cup with a magical display, Germany cast their spell on Argentina with a brilliant quarter-final performance.

Argentina were buried thanks to a third-minute goal from Thomas Muller and two second-half efforts from Miroslav Klose either side of one from Arne Friedrich. Even Diego Maradona would had appreciated it had he not been in the opposite dug-out. An imperious masterclass from a side on the march.

Games of this magnitude can often be dull, sterile affairs, where two giants cancel each other out completely. This spectacular never had a chance of being that way.

An Argentina team containing Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez, managed by one of the most creative forces there has ever been, is not exactly set up to defend. Germany's talents are not as well known. But over the past week Joachim Low's team have made some statement.

Another star name destined to leave South Africa without making a significant mark, or scoring a goal, Messi did his best with the scraps that were offered without making the mesmerising burst or defence-splitting pass his team craved.

On the touchline, Maradona stood, knowing the difference between a great player and the absolute best is their ability to produce when the pressure is at its greatest, as he did in 1986. Since then, Germany have gained revenge, both in the 1990 final and the quarter-final four years ago.

In his amusing dismissal of England, German skipper Philipp Lahm said he wanted to win inside 90 minutes, for his country to finally defeat a big team. It was time for his youthful team-mates to announce their arrival.

First, a prone Muller stabbed the ball into space and set Podolski free to present Klose with a tap-in.

Then, pushing forward even though the game was won, Friedrich was on hand to finish from close range after Schweinsteiger had cut through the Argentine defence like a knife through butter.

Klose finished the rout and with another four-star performance, Germany roll into the semi-finals with every chance of lifting the trophy.

Scoring Summary

Argentina	Germany
	Thomas Müller (3')
	Miroslav Klose (68')
	Arne Friedrich (74')
	Miroslav Klose (89')

Match Stats

Argentina

Germany

20(7)	Shots (on Goal)	18(6)
20	Fouls	14
5	Corner Kicks	4
5	Offsides	0
53%	Time of Possession	47%
2	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
2	Saves	7

Match Information

Stadium:	Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa
Attendance:	64,100
Match Time:	14:00 GMT
Official(s):	Ravshan Irmatov

Man of the Match: Bastian Schweinsteiger 

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Bastian Schweinsteiger - The Bayern Munich star provided the assists for Germany's first and third goals and was imperious in midfield throughout the match. In defence he was tenacious in the tackle and going forwards he invariably made the correct pass at the correct time.

Argentina verdict: Diego Maradona's side started slowly and then never recovered after conceding the early goal. There was plenty off huff and puff as Argentina fought to get back into the match but they never really created any clear-cut chances, despite all their possession. As La Albiceleste pushed forward they played into the hands of Germany's quick counter-attacks and were picked off late on.

Germany verdict: Joachim Low's side started the match on the front foot, scored an early goal after just three minutes, and never looked back. There was no chance this attacking, high-tempo German team would sit on their lead and there were shades of the onslaught against England in the previous match as Die Mannschaft carved open their opponent's defence time and again. Klose's first goal after 67 minutes left the Germans strolling down Easy Street for the remainder of the match.

Could do better: Nicolas Otamendi - The Vélez Sarsfield defender suffered a torrid time at right full-back, but to be fair to Otamendi he is a centre-back by trade. He struggled to contain Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil and was hauled off after 70 minutes as Argentina chased the game.

Stat attack: Germany have not conceded a second half goal in this World Cup.

Argentina vs Germany - Preview

Argentina
v
Germany


14:00 GMT, July 3, 2010
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa

Few people expected Diego Maradona's Argentina to cruise into the quarter-finals with such serenity, but a side that looked chaotic and clueless during qualification for the World Cup has found harmony in South Africa and appear to be improving with every game.

Gonzalo Higuain jointly leads the tournament's goalscoring charts with four, Nicolas Otamendi put himself forward as the solution to La Albiceleste's problems at right back with accomplished performances against Greece and Mexico and Lionel Messi has tapped into previously elusive form with the national team and is yet to contribute goals.

With a supporting cast that features both star talent and experience, Argentina make a formidable attacking outfit. However, their defence is yet to face a stern test and has already showed signs of fallibility. Martin Demichelis gifted a goal to South Korea in the group stage, and the defensive unit as whole has lacked concentration on various occasions. Any slip up against a German side that humiliated England 4-1 in their second-round match could prove costly.

Despite the tender age of some of Joachim Low's youthful German side they have shown no fear, beating Australia 4-0 and then recovering from a blip against Serbia, when they played with ten men for 54 minutes, to beat Ghana and then England. Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil, who were plucked from the youth ranks, the latter from the Germans' UEFA Under-21 Championship winning side, are vital cogs in the high-tempo, attacking German machine.

Competition Stats

	Argentina	Germany
Goals	Gonzalo Higuaín 4	Thomas Müller 3
Assists		Thomas Müller 3
Yellows	Jonás Gutiérrez 2	Thomas Müller 1
Reds		Miroslav Klose 1

Argentina player to watch: Carlos Tevez - Overshadowed by the mesmerising skills of Messi and the goals of Higuain in the group games, Tevez decided to grab some of the spotlight against Mexico by firing in a straight-to-YouTube classic and fuelling the technology debate with an offside opener. His high work rate and endless harassment of defenders was enough to retain a place in the team ahead of Diego Milito and Sergio Aguero and now that he has added a goalscoring touch there is no stopping the Manchester City striker.

Germany player to watch: Mesut Ozil - The Werder Bremen player has brought a touch of finesse and improvisation to the German midfield and was a key part of their crushing 4-1 victory over England in the last round. The youngster was a constant thorn in the side of the English defence, with his off-the-ball movement pulling players out of position and his clever passing opening avenues for the other attacking players. Ozil assisted the fourth and final goal in the 4-1 win, and also created four other goalscoring chances for his team-mates.

Key battle: Thomas Muller v Gabriel Heinze - Languishing in Bayern Munich's second team a year ago, Muller now leads Germany in both goals and assists at the World Cup. The 20-year-old scored his first international goal against Australia in the opening match and has grown in confidence since. The lanky player can stay out on the right flank or drift inside to make a useful target at the back post. Heinze will be the man charged with stopping Muller and will have to utilise all the dark arts in his repertoire to halt the German. Argentina have looked great going forwards but have been prone to lapses of concentration at the back.

Trivia: Diego Maradona has never seen Argentina draw a match under his 23-game tenure as manager of the side.

Stats: Lionel Messi has attempted the most shots (17) without scoring in the World Cup so far.

Odds: Argentina (2.30), Germany (3.40), the draw (3.10) are all on offer at Bet365. But a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes will get you 15.00.

Prediction: Both teams have issues at the back so it is unlikely that the match will be a defensive affair. Argentina have more ammunition going forward and are likely to edge a high-scoring quarter-final.



Argentin 3-1 Mexico
Germany 4-1 England
Argentina 2-0 Greece
Ghana 0-1 Germany
Argentina 4-1 South Korea


Germany 0-1 Serbia
Nigeria 0-1 Argentina
Germany 4-0 Australia
Argentina 5-0 Canada
Hungary 0-3 Germany