FULL TIME - Match #59 (QUARTER - FINAL #3) -
ARGENTINA - 0
GERMANY - 4
(Muller 3')
(Klose 68', 89')
(Friedrich 74')
And how many of us predicted THAT result and THAT scoreline?
Nobody.
Argentina were caught with their pants down in every aspect of the game. Their defenses were shoddy and they kept losing possession repeatedly, plus letting the German forwards so many times into their half cost them dearly. Messi, Higuain and Tevez were barely visible - and everytime they looked a very pale version of themselves. It has been a really forgettable World Cup for most of the star players of all teams, particularly for Messi who ended WC 2010 without a single goal. Even though they started the second half very strongly, once they conceded the second goal they simply collapsed and withered. Totally.
Argentina have nothing to take away from this, except a big bagful of humiliation and a fuming Maradona all the way back to Buenos Aires.
Germany were simply exemplary. They were very clearly the better team today and they showed it in their football. They had all the Argentinians marked and Muller, Schweinsteiger & Boateng were simply brilliant. Klose was his usual flamboyant self and he was spoon-fed a goal which had the Argentinian defense torn to shreds.
Michael Ballack must be really delighted watching from the lines. Caught a glimpse of Charlize Theron looking on, too.
Germany look very strong and very determined. They should have a HUGE boost of confidence now that they have beaten one of the best teams in the world, and with that thumping margin.