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Argentina 0 - 4 Germany - FIFA World Cup Report

Matias Vulej, July 3 2010,
Argentina is out after a sounding defeat against the Teutonic squad. Germany will have to wait for Spain vs Paraguay to see who'll be facing the most prolific team in this competition.

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Germany was effective, deadly, fast and furious. Argentina, on the other hand, was unable to play as a team, with a constant misunderstanding between Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi and the rest of the squad. Luckily for Maradona, Carlos Tevez was the offensive lighthouse that even offered Argentineans the chance to dream during the beginning of the second half, but the many defensive mistakes were not forgiven by the Teutons. Once again Germany eliminates Argentina in quarter finals, as they did in 2006.

Radical change of events at the third minute

The game started with both teams determined to make their best to bag the victory, and them both had their first chance against their rival's goal within the first two minutes. But Nicolas Otamendi (who had problems for the whole game stopping Germany's offensive) gave the European squad a dangerous free kick. Thomas Muller caressed the ball against Sergio Romero, who was caught off guard. It was the third minute and Germany was already one goal ahead, forcing Argentina to heal their wounds soon before bleeding to death.

 

Young Thomas Muller, aged only 20, scored Germany's 200th goal after a controversy with Maradona in press conference. It was Nicolas Otamendi the one who should have taken Muller's mark in the free kick, but Velez's central wasn't on his best day.

The first fifteen minutes were clearly under European control, calling for Maradona to make a strategic modification in his scheme that was pretty effective for the following 30 minutes. Di Maria exchanged roles with Maxi Rodriguez, allowing Maradona more control on the right band, with Carlos Tevez adopting a more offensive role and using Messi, as always, as jack-of-all-trades. but Bastian Schweinsteiger was a beast in the midfield, and if it wasn't for Javier Mascherano Argentina could have hardly had anything to do other than resist Germany's furious blows.

At the 37th minute Argentina managed to get a taste of the net, but Maxi Rodriguez was rightly caught off side by the referee. Thomas Muller had just been cautioned after stopping Messi's advance, forcing Germany's promise to miss the semi final match.

Same old blues

One would have expected Maradona to make some changes for the second half, for Argentina was clearly lacking the kind of ball control only players like Veron or Pastore could offer. Nevertheless, and thanks to Tevez's endless efforts Argentina was slowly building an attack with much stronger foundings, but it looked impossible to caught Manuel Neuer off guard.

Germany's goalkeeper perform outstandingly, securing every ball that was send over his area of influence. Argentina could have even the scored if Neuer would have made a single mistake, as Higuain and Messi were lurking the area whenever Tevez or Di Maria tried their luck against the goal, but it was meaningless.

Once again the Teutonics were gifted a golden opportunity with a close free kick. Podolski gained his space within Argentina's area and assisted Miroslav Klose, who didn't hesitate in opening a bigger gap. 2-0, and Germany was one step away from entering into South Africa's semifinals.

Maradona could no longer ignore the situation and thus Nicolas Otamendi was replaced by Javier Pastore. But it was too little too late for Palermo's play maker, who could have changed the course of the match if he's given an opportunity before it was too late. He had an opportunity for the goal on the first ball he touched, but the ball went slightly away. Germany was relaxed as their was only a quarter of an hour left, and Argentina was not showing real offensive capacities.

And at the 74th minute Germany transformed a corner kick into the third goal of the match, thanks to man-of-the-match Schweinsteiger, who made his away against two Argentinean defenders and assisted Friedrich, who scored his first international goal. It was all over for Maradona and his players.

The right move at the wrong time

Pastore gave Argentina a much needed handshake of fresh air, but Albiceleste's defense was unable to control Germany. Every step taken forwards thanks to Pastore was followed by two steps backwards as the Teutonics kept on running against Romero's goal, who played his worst match with the team.

But Germany was saving another surprise for Argentina. At the last minute, after another mediocre shot by Lionel Messi. The counter attack found Klose alone in front of Romero. 4-0 for Germany.

Argentina is now on his way back to South America to join Brazil in their sorrow. Uruguay might be the only South American team in the semi finals, depending on Paraguay's performance against Spain; Few things can surprise you now after a competitive tournament as this one.

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