Villa the winner again for Super Spain

18:30 GMT, July 3, 2010
Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa





Paraguay
0 - 1
Spain

David Villa enhanced his reputation as the World Cup's outstanding striker with a late goal to give a below-par Spain a 1-0 win over Paraguay and book a semi-final clash with Germany, in what will be a repeat of the Euro 2008 final.


The 28-year-old struck his fifth goal of the finals to send the perennial underachievers into the last four of the World Cup for the first time.

It was tough on Paraguay who had matched the European champions for much of the game - and though this has been a World Cup of shocks, the needle would have gone off the Richter scale if the South Americans had triumphed.

Spain now face Germany in the semi-finals - not since 1950, where they were part of a four-team final group, have they had such an opportunity to reach the final itself.

Both sides contrived to miss penalties before Villa came up trumps after Andres Iniesta had carved out an opening for Pedro, who hit the post with his new Barcelona team-mate producing the perfect follow up.

Until then, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino, who made no fewer than six changes from the side that scraped past Japan on penalties, had got his tactics just right. Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque kept faith with the same starting line-up for the third game in a row but familiarity bred contempt for the first hour.

Scoring Summary

Paraguay	Spain
Óscar Cardozo (pen miss 59')	Xabi Alonso (pen miss 61')
	David Villa (83')

Match Stats

Paraguay

Spain

9(4)	Shots (on Goal)	16(6)
25	Fouls	12
1	Corner Kicks	7
2	Offsides	1
40%	Time of Possession	60%
4	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
2	Saves	3

Match Information

Stadium:	Ellis Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
Attendance:
Match Time:	18:30 GMT
Official(s):	Carlos Batres (Guatemala)

                             Men of the Match: Iker Casillas and Justo Villar

MATCH SUMMARY

Men of the Match: Iker Casillas and Justo Villar - In a game devoid of much quality, both goalkeepers get an honourable mention. They both saved penalties to keep their respective teams in the match and the last time that happened was back in 1930 in a match between Argentina and Mexico.

Paraguay verdict: Gerardo Martino's side quickly slipped into their usual routine of defending tenaciously and hitting on the counter-attack. It worked a treat in the first-half but despite some slick interplay Paraguay were unable to capitalize on their early dominance. La Albirroja paid the price in the second-half as holes appeared at the back and David Villa eventually found a way through.

Spain verdict: Vicente del Bosque's side simply didn't turn up for the first-half. They were slow, lethargic, well off the pace and didn't muster a single shot on target. But with the coach's angry voice still ringing in their ears Spain rediscovered some of their fluid style after the break. When Torres and Alonso were replaced by Fabregas and Pedro, La Roja began to create chances and took the one that mattered.

Could do better: Xabi Alonso - Striker Fernando Torres could easily have been handed his fifth straight 'could do better' award but just to spare him such ignominy we have handed it to Alonso, and with justification. His much-vaunted passing was way off the mark and he also missed from the penalty spot. He was replaced by Pedro after 74 minutes.

Stat attack: Spain came into the 2010 World Cup having converted 14 of 14 penalties. They have missed two in this tournament.

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.