By: Eike Zwicker
Two goals from Miroslav Klose smoothed the way for “the white eagles” into the semi-finals against Spain
Coach Joachim Löw trusted exactly the same line-up as against England. Also the coach of the “Albiceleste” trusted the same formation as in their last game. The game began with hard tackles on both sides, first Klose tackled Mascherano near the halfway line, and on the other hand Otamendi fouled Podolski. The following free-kick from the left side led to the first goal for the German team.
The free-kick was accomplished by Schweinsteiger and Müller headed the ball into the net (3rd). Diego Maradonas team was shocked, and as a result the German squad dominated the state of play. Only after 15 minutes did the Argentinian players begin with their first efforts to attack the goal of Manuel Neuer. But on the other side Klose had the great chance to increase the result, however he failed to score with a shot from 11 metres. Afterwards the Argentinian squad increased the speed of the game and came to some promising chances of di Maria (33th) and Higuain (35th), both times with shots from the penalty area. Germany went with a 1:0 lead into the halftime break.
Both teams came out of the changing rooms without any changes. It was obviously that Argentina had the aim to tie the score as fast as possible in the beginning of the second half. They controlled the game and disturbed the German defenders wide in the half of Germany. Once again di Maria failed to score extremely close with a shot from distance (48th). Approximately after ten minutes the young German team could escape from the pressure of Argentina and started with some counterattacks, but first without success. Minutes later, Klose finished a nice counterattack after the assist of Podolski from the left side, he had no problems to shoot the ball into the net from short distance (67th). But the team of Löw was unsatisfied and played in the following minutes still offensive soccer. Additionally Arne Friedrich rewarded himself for a good World Cup performance with his first goal in the German squad after a marvelous assist of Schweinsteiger, when he passed four Argentinian players on the left side (74th). The encounter was decided. Despite further attacks, the Argentinian squad could not achieve the consolation goal – the German squad rather humiliated their opponent with the fourth goal, by Klose (88th). This was at the same time the conclusion of the game.
Coming Wednesday Germany plays their semi-final against Spain, who defeats Paraguay 1:0.
Line-up:
Neuer – Lahm – Mertesacker – Friedrich – Boateng – Khedira – Schweinsteiger – Müller – Podolski – Özil – Klose
Substitutes:
72th Jansen for Boateng
77th Kroos for Khedira
84th Trochowski for T. Müller
Bench:
Butt, Wiese, Aogo, Tasci, Badstuber, Kießling, Gomez and Marin
