Friday, 30th June
Germany Win on Penalties
 Germany vs  Argentina
in Berlin
Previous Encounters:
Argentina vs Germany has all the makings of a classic; just a shame it comes so early in
the tournament. Of ten previous encounters, Germany have won three and Argentina four. The
last meeting was in the Confederations Cup, on 21st June 2005 in Nürnberg. The game ended
in a draw (2:2).
In previous World Cup meetings, West Germany beat Argentina (1:0) in
the Italy 1990 World Cup Final and lost (3:2) in
the Mexico 1986 World Cup Final.
They also met in the group stages at England 1966, (0:0) in Birmingham; and Sweden 1958, (3:1) to West Germany, in Malmo.
The Match:
The first quarter-final match started rather tense, as Miroslav Klose and Torsten Frings
tried to make their presence felt on Argentine playmaker Juan Riquelme.
Germany's first half-chance came in the 16th minute, when Michael
Ballack headed wide. A minute later, Per Mertesacker blasted over the bar.
Argentina had the most possession in the first forty-five minutes but
they didn't really do much with it.
Half-time: (0:0)
Roberto Ayala headed Argentina into the lead, from a Riquelme corner,
just five minutes after the re-start.
Ten minutes from the end of normal time, Michael Ballack crossed into
the box. The ball was headed forward by Tim Borowski, to Miroslav Klose; who headed
his fifth goal of the tournament, to equal the score and take the game into extra-time.
Into Extra-time.
Germany looked the fitter of the two teams and with the earlier
Argentina substitutions, forced due to Abbondanzieri's injury halfway through the
second-half, creativity was lacking.
Final Score:
Germany 1 -
Argentina 1
After Extra Time
 Goalscorers:
0:1 Roberto Ayala (49)
1:1 Miroslav Klose (80)
Oliver Kahn shook Lehmann's hand before the Arsenal goalkeeper took
his place in goal for the penaly kicks.
PENALTIES: (4:2)
Germany: Oliver Neuville -- Scored.
Argentina: Julio Cruz -- Scored.
Germany: Michael Ballack -- Scored.
Argentina: Roberto Ayala -- SAVED.
Germany: Lukas Podolski -- Scored.
Argentina: Maxi Rodrîguez -- Scored.
Germany: Tim Borowski -- Scored.
Argentina: Esteban Cambiasso -- SAVED.
End Result:
Germany do it again on penalties to book a place in the semi-final; while Argentina left
the field in disgrace. Not the best of matches for entertainment but the hosts got the
eventual 'win' they needed; one they do so well, from the spot when the pressure is on.
Teams
Germany: (Captain Michael Ballack)
1 Jens Lehmann; 3 Arne Friedrich, 16 Philip Lahm, 17 Per Mertesacker,
21 Christoph Metzelder; 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger, 8 Torsten Frings,
13 Michael Ballack, 19 Bernd Schneider; 11 Miroslav Klose, 20 Lukas
Podolski.
Argentina: (Captain Juan Pablo
Sorin)
1 Roberto Abbondanzieri; 2 Roberto Ayala, 3 Juan Pablo Sorin, 4 Fabricio Coloccini, 6
Gabriel Heinze; 8 Javier Mascherano, 10 Juan Riquelme, 18 Maxi Rodriguez, 22 Lucho
Gonzalez; 9 Hernan Crespo, 11 Carlos Tevez.
Referee: Lubos Michel 
Substitutions:
62 Mins (Germany) - 22 David Odonkor on for 19 Bernd Schneider
71 Mins (Argentina) - 12 Leonardo Franco on for 1 Roberto Abbondanzieri
72 Mins (Argentina) - 5 Esteban Cambiasso on for 10 Juan Riquelme
74 Mins (Germany) - 18 Tim Borowski on for 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger
78 Mins (Argentina) - 20 Julio Cruz on for 9 Hernan Crespo
85 Mins (Germany) - 10 Oliver Neuville on for 11 Miroslav Klose
 7 Yellow
Cards:
3 Mins - Lukas Podolski (Germany)
46 Mins - Juan Pablo Sorin (Argentina)
60 Mins - Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
88 Mins - Maxi Rodriguez (Argentina)
90 Mins - David Odonkor (Germany)
96 Mins - Julio Cruz (Argentina)
114 Mins - Arne Friedrich (Germany)
 0 Red Cards.
Argentina's Leandro Cufre, who didn't play in the game, was shown a
red card; for unsporting behaviour, after the final whistle.
2006 World Cup Finals - Knockout Stage.
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