Argentina lose to Germany in World Cup quarter final

STRIKER Miroslav Klose celebrated his 100th cap with two second-half goals to help Germany reach the World Cup semi-finals with a 4-0 demolition of Diego Maradona's outclassed Argentina.

Germany will now face either Spain or Paraguay in Durban next Wednesday with a place in the final at Johannesburg's Soccer City on July 11 at stake.

A third-minute goal by Thomas Mueller gave Germany a 1-0 lead, before the three-time champions turned the screw after the interval.

Klose netted in the 68th minute, centre-back Arne Friedrich scored his first for his country six minutes later before Klose completed the rout with an 89th-minute volley which gave him a 14th World Cup goal, just one behind Ronaldo's record of 15.

German coach Joachim Loew got the better tactically of a bewildered Maradona as the men in black defended doggedly and attacked in numbers. 

World footballer of the year Lionel Messi was tightly marked by Mueller and Bastian Schweinsteiger as Argentina's star-studded side failed to shine.

The only blot on Germany's copybook was Mueller's first-half yellow card which sees him suspended for the semi-final.

Klose was lucky not to receive a yellow card in the opening minute, when he fouled Argentina captain Javier Mascherano, but the Germans were soon in front.

They took the lead after just three minutes when Mueller headed home a Schweinsteiger free-kick for his fourth goal of the tournament, the ball deflecting in off goalkeeper Sergio Romero's leg.

Argentina right-back Nicolas Otamendi earned the first yellow card of the game on 11 minutes for a foul on Friedrich.

The South Americans' first sight of goal came when Messi slid a pass through the German defence to Carlos Tevez, but goalkeeper Manuel Neuer raced from his line to deal with the threat.

Mueller's bright start then suffered a setback when he picked up his yellow card for handling the ball on 35 minutes.

Argentina had an encouraging start to the second-half as Real Madrid new boy Angel Di Maria fired a long-range shot which had Neuer at full-stretch on 48 minutes and Per Mertesacker blocked a shot from Tevez on 54 minutes.

But Germany extended their lead when Podolski found space on the left flank and passed back inside for Klose to score on 68 minutes.

Schweinsteiger helped make sure of Germany's place in the last four when he darted through the Argentinian defence to give Friedrich a simple tap in on 74 minutes to claim his first international goal on his 77th appearance.

Argentina's defence crumbled as Klose completed the demolition with his 52nd goal for Germany as he volleyed home a cross from Mesut Ozil just before the final whistle.

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Dutch beat Brazil 2-1 in World Cup 2010 biggest upset

2010 FIFA World Cup: Brazil Is Out After Losing to Holland

The Netherlands came from behind to stun five-time champion Brazil 2-1 Friday at Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to become the first semifinalist of the FIFA World Cup.

Wesley Sneijder scored the winner in the 68th minute with a header following a corner kick.

"It just slipped through from my bald head and it was a great feeling," Sneijder said.

It was the Netherlands' first win over Brazil since the 1974 World Cup, when Johan Cruyff was the team's star and "total football" reigned.

"It was an amazing game. I think we showed the whole world how we can play," Sneijder said. "Finally we won, we beat Brazil."

Robinho had given Brazil the lead in the 10th minute, but the Netherlands equalized in the 53rd with an own goal from Felipe Melo.

It was a match of sharp contrasts for Felipe Melo, who set up the opening goal with a brilliant through pass but then was shown a direct red card in the 73rd for stepping on Netherlands winger Arjen Robben, leaving Brazil with 10 men.

The Netherlands reached the semifinals for the first time since losing to Brazil on penalties at the 1998 World Cup in France and will next face either Uruguay or Ghana.

Team record stretched

Having won all five of its matches so far, the Netherlands extended its team-record unbeaten streak to 24 games, stretching back to a September 2008 loss to Australia.

At the final whistle, the Dutch players jumped on each other near midfield and lingered to savour the moment.

The majority of the fans inside the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium were clad in Brazilian yellow, although many of them were wearing South Africa jerseys of the same colour. Long after the match ended, the only fans remaining were orange-shirted Netherlands supporters, waving their country's red-white-and-blue flags and chanting "Oranje."

The Netherlands reached consecutive World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978 but lost both — to Germany and Argentina, respectively — and its only major tournament victory was the 1988 European Championship.

The Dutch will be favoured against either Uruguay or Ghana in the semifinals.

Brazil also lost in the quarter-finals four years ago, falling to France 1-0.

Dunga takes blame

Former Brazil captain Dunga was hired to coach the team after that loss despite no previous managerial experience, and his future is certain to come into question now.

"We didn't expect this," Dunga said. "We know that any World Cup match is about 90 minutes. In the first half we were able to play better and we weren't able to maintain that rhythm in the second half."

Dunga immediately accepted blame for the loss.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, I am the coach of the Brazilian team," he said. "I have the greatest responsibility."

On a warm and pleasant afternoon before a sellout crowd of 42,286, Brazil dominated the first 45 minutes, then fell apart.

Robinho's goal started with a long pass from Felipe Melo through the heart of the Netherlands defence, setting up an easy score for the Santos striker.

Two minutes before he scored, Robinho had a goal waved off for a close offside call on Brazil's first chance. Buzzing like a bee back and forth between the left wing and the centre of Brazil's attack, Robinho started another effort in the 31st that nearly became the most spectacular goal of the tournament.

Robinho dribbled through three defenders up the left flank then gave the ball to Luis Fabiano, who flicked it back with his heel to Kaka. The playmaker then sent a searing shot to the top right corner of the goal, but Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg timed his leap perfectly to deflect the ball away with one hand.

Brazil unravels

The one-goal lead wasn't enough, though, and Brazil began to unravel when Felipe Melo headed the ball into his own net in a mixup with Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar following a cross from Sneijder, who also led Inter Milan to the Champions League title in May.

Sneijder's goal followed a corner kick from Robben. Dirk Kuyt flicked the ball on with a header by the near post and Sneijder found the target from the centre of the area.

Five minutes later, Felipe Melo walked off the field with his head hung low.

Brazil had one final chance in the 89th but a free kick from Daniel Alves smacked into a thick Dutch wall.

Felipe Melo missed Brazil's 3-0 victory over Chile but was rushed back into the lineup since fellow midfielders Elano and Ramires both sat out — Elano with a right ankle injury and Ramires due to yellow cards.

"The first half was really difficult for us. We were 1-0 behind, a great save by our goalkeeper on Kaka kept us there," Sneijder said. "At halftime we said to each other that we had to improve things and put more pressure on the Brazilian defence. For 45 minutes we went full throttle and we were rewarded."

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Quarter-finals Paraguay vs Spain Live Streams and TV Channels

Paraguay vs Spain Live Stream

Date : 04-07-2010

Game Start Time : 00:30

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Johannesburg

Paraguay vs Spain Match Preview is done here for the upcoming quarter-finals match to be played on the 2nd of July in Cape Town at the Green Point Stadium. Moving forth into the quarter finals both teams are determined to perform at their best for this match. Even though this may not be the biggest of challenges for the La Roja team, they can hardly afford to screw this one up. Paraguay on the on the other hand are going to face some real tough opponent for the first time in this world cup.

With the early and unexpected exit of the Italians from group F, the post of the champions for the group was taken over by Paraguay. They qualified with 5 points and faced the Japanese in the round of 16, where Los Guaraníes just managed to grab a victory over Okada’s men by winning 5-3 in the penalty shoot-outs. Gerardo Martino, Paraguay coach also known as El Tata by his men was relieved by the result and said “ There’s a lot of tension and anxiety and you suffer because the players are putting in so much effort, Let’s hope we can recover quickly and keep making history” . And to make anymore history at this world cup the Paraguay teams needs to play far better than what they have played so far.

Paraguay vs Spain Match Preview is incomplete without the analysis of the Spanish team. The Spaniards moved to the quarter finals by defeating Christiano Ronaldo’s home team-Portugal. The Spanish fans are all praise for their luminary striker David Villa because of his exceptional performance in this world cup and the knack of scoring in every game that he seems to have acquired since the start of the tournament. This is what he commented after the match “We’ve beaten a very tough side and we have a lot of confidence in ourselves and in our potential”.

Though the Spanish star player Torres has failed to click in their last few matches since his return from injury, his performance was considerably better in the last match and Bosque, Spain’s coach showed confidence in him “Fernando Torres did what he had to do and we all felt pretty comfortable with how we played”.

Whoever wins the match will meet the winner of the Germany vs Argentina match in the Semi-finals at Durban.

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Quarter-finals Argentina vs Germany Live Streams and TV Channels

Argentina vs Germany Live Stream

Date : 03-07-2010

Game Start Time : 20:00

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Cape Town

Clash of the Titans, is what this match is being hailed as and therefore, Argentina v/s Germany Match Preview is very important. Fixed for the 3rd of July in Cape Town at the Green Point Stadium this match between Argentina and Germany will definitely be a reveling juxtaposition of action and anxiety.

Argentina qualified to the knockout stages by winning all their group stage matches and stood at the top of their group. In the round of 16, La Albiceleste defeated Mexico very comfortably with a 3-1 victory to consolidate their place in the quarter finals. Not only is the Argentinean team high on talent, they are being coached by Diego Maradona, considered by many to be the finest player to have walked the planet. Though always involved in one controversy or another, Maradona’s virtues far outweigh his vices, when asked about the match against the Germans he said “We know Germany are a different team to the side we faced in Mexico” “we will try and put together the best team to showcase our talents against Germany”. This will be the biggest challenge that Argentina has faced so far in world cup 2010.

Argentina vs Germany Match Preview is no fun without an analysis of the German campaign so far. The Germans began their ordeal by topping their group and thus moved on to the round of 16 to face Fabio Capello’s side. But much to the delight of the German fans, the Three Lions were unable to stand the Blitzkrieg and were pounded 4-1 at Bloemfonteine. Having scored a total of 9 goals in the 4 matches, the Germans have proved themselves to be one of the strongest sides of the world cup. For the match against Argentina they are highly confident, Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Germany midfielder says “We respect Argentina, but there is no fear from us, we are confident”

Players to watch:

Argentina:

Lionel Messi-the current FIFA world player of the year, Carlos Tevez and Higuain who have been the serial goal scorers for Argentina in this world cup.

Germany:

Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Schweinsteiger are very essential to the otherwise young and comparatively inexperienced side.

Expected result:

Stats say that Argentina has won more number of times whenever the two sides have clash on the world stage but both sides are equally matched so just wait and watch says this Argentina vs Germany Match Preview.

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Quarter-finals Uruguay vs Ghana Live Streams and TV Channels

Uruguay vs Ghana Live Stream

Date : 03-07-2010

Game Start Time : 00:30

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Johannesburg

Uruguay vs Ghana Match Preview will clear the air for those who are all worked up for this match. This match is to be held on 2nd of July in Johannesburg at the swanky Soccer City Stadium. Being the first match to be decided for the quarter finals, the Uruguay v/s Ghana match has everyone talking as to what is in store for them in this next phase of the world cup.

Ghana defeated USA’s team in the round of sixteen with a 2-1 score line, thanks to the 93rd minute goal by Asamoah Gyan which helped the black stars dream alive. At first it seemed that this nail biter match could go either way but Ghana showed true spirit to overpower their opponents and win. “We have made everybody proud, not Ghana alone, but the whole of Africa” is what the elated Gyan had to say about their win and not without reason since Ghana is the solitary survivor of the African contingent which participated but failed to show great results. The match against the 16th ranked Uruguay team would not be an easy game to win for the Black Stars who hold the 32nd position but this does not stop Samuel Inkoom, Ghana midfielder from being confident “I don’t think Uruguay will be easy but I think we are capable of winning”.

A Uruguay vs Ghana Match Preview is the best method to comprehend the underlying factors which can affect this match.The Uruguay team for one has a relatively young side but highly talented none the less. La Celeste team is sprinkled with a great number of players who play for European clubs and the team is bolstered by their strong coach Oscar Washington Tabarez. El Maestro, as he is known in his homeland has done quite a job on his team having led Uruguay to the world cup second time consecutively. The Uruguayans entered the quarter finals by squashing the hopes of the South Korean team who played a grilling match but lost 2-1 to the two time world champions. “It was a very hard-fought victory that took a lot out of us” is how Tabarez described the clash between the nations.

Expected outcome:

Ghana team has shown great determination in South Africa so far but the South Americans look more poised for a good game having topped their group in the initial stages of the world cup as well.

This is what the Uruguay vs Ghana Match Preview says for this upcoming match in Johannesburg.

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Netherlands vs Brazil Quarter-finals Live Streams and TV Channels

Netherlands vs Brazil Live Stream

Date : 02-07-2010

Game Start Time : 20:00

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth

Netherlands vs Brazil Match Preview is done to get the most out of this upcoming match on the 2nd of June at Port Elizabeth. Now that the world cup has reached the quarter final stage the competition can only get tougher and out of these many great teams only a few shall have the rite of passage to the semis.

The Dutch team which is being seen in the world cup for the 8th time since 1930 has reached the finals twice but unfortunately, failed to win the cup both times. And this time again the ‘Oranje’ have displayed great resilience in their play so far, they topped their group and then went on to challenge Slovakia in the round of 16 at Durban. In Durban, the Dutch defeated the Slovaks by 2 goals to 1 thanks to return of their star player Arjen Robben. Bert van Marwijk, Netherlands coach was delighted with Robben’s return to the team “It’s obviously fantastic to have Robben come back after injury and show that he’s already fit enough to be scoring that kind of goal”. Netherlands v/s Brazil Match Preview will shows that for their next match against Brazil the Dutch need to perform better than ever before.

And not without reason did Marwijk say “Against Brazil, perhaps we might be the underdogs for the first time in South Africa”. The Brazilians have featured in all 19 world cups to date and are the only team to have won the coveted showpiece a record 5 times. The Brazilian lineup is studded with star players like Kaka and Fabiano who have been in the best of forms this world cup. None the less the match against the Dutch is the toughest they have yet to face and coach Dunga knows this, he said “We know the Netherlands are a very difficult team to beat and they are very able technically, we’ve got another decisive match ahead”

Expected Outcome:

Even though the Netherlands has played amazing football, they have yet to face a real challenge. And given Brazil’s great legacy we would expect Brazil to do the same this time as well and give us a great match.

But unlike before elimination of even a good team at this stage would not mean that the competition may become dull on the contrary the excitement will only intensify, this can be seen by our Netherlands vs Brazil Match Preview. 

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Portugal vs Spain Live Streams and TV Channels

Portugal vs Spain Live Stream

Date : 30-06-2010

Game Start Time : 00:30

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Cape Town

The Round of 16 will close with the match between Spain and Portugal and open encounter involving Paraguay and Japan. Even with the opening game falter versus Switzerland, the European champions Spain was able to muscle their way through to the knockout stage and was able to finish top of their group in the course. They now come across a Portugal team in their trail who was able to pass a severe test of surviving a tough fight alongside Côte d’Ivoire and Brazil. This was the final 16 that a lot of people expected and coaches Vicente del Bosque and Carlos Queiroz should have had a lot of time to plan for the downfall of the other teams.

In comparison, very few people could have predicted Italy’s failure in Group F, where Paraguay finished on top even without the service of their leading scorer Salvador Cabanas in qualifying. Los Guaraníes now has to face the Japanese team that is aiming to reach unfamiliar games at this level by winning the second last-16 between South American and Asian competitor at the World Cup, where Uruguay winning past Korea Republic 2-1.

The big game will feature the match between Spain-Portugal. History will pick on Span to dominance, with the European champions winning over Portugal three times and drawing only once in four World Cup qualifiers. The 32 games overall A Selecção das Quinas have won a mere five times, while loosing 15 and having 12 draws.

Now they must try to reverse that development against one of the strongest line-ups of Spain, although their Iberian rivals began to show vulnerability with their fluid play possibly being decoded by the enemy coaches. Del Bosque made some sacrifices on his team’s keenness for the stunning for support of a more direct line of attack, as shown in their 2-1 win over Chile, but the opposition Queiroz, is confident of discovering an answer. His team emerged victorious from the strongest section in the group phase claiming to score seven goals and not conceding any and will continue with their ironclad defense and Cristiano Ronaldo star forward to make the big difference.

The Real Madrid star hassle defenders and makes an opening space for his team mates and he will enjoy matching up against fellow Liga stars like David Villa. Whatever happens, expect a lot of teasing about this match.

As for Okada, the 53-year-old clever tactician, knows his team will not win a physical contest but likes them to play at pace with passes going into the space behind defenders and full-backs coming close to help exploit the strength of the players. Expect different moves from two coaches, with one set to elevate his profile by getting into the last eight.

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Paraguay vsJapan Live Streams and TV Channels

Paraguay vs Japan Live Stream

Date : 29-06-2010

Game Start Time : 20:30

FIFA World Cup 2010

Venue: Tshwane/Pretoria

Paraguay versus Japan meet will make history who ever wins in the Round of 16 in Pretoria will advance in the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time. Passing thru the group stage three times of their past seven finals emergence, Gerardo Martino’s team will be unwavering to build their success in finishing at the top of Group F versus the Japan team through for the first time in the knockout phase on foreign soil.

Paraguay vs. Japan, will take place in the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on 29 June, formerly famous for their persistent rearguard, Paraguay is not purely defense, their 4-3-3 formation that include the very experienced Santa Cruz in attack with Borussia Dortmund duo Valdez and Barrios. And they also have a scoring threat from Vera and Riveros midfields as displayed when each made a point in their 2-0 win against Slovakia. Rival Japan has warded off the uninspiring form they displayed in the upsurge of the tournament to defeat Cameroon and Denmark going to the last 16.

Coach Takeshi Okada’s tactic paid off with Keisuke Honda successful in a different attacking role. In his back are Endo and Hasebe have commanded the midfield and Japan displayed versus Denmark that their defense includes a distinct threat, two of their three goals came from direct free-kicks. Their determined line of attack gives them an edge in fitness against their other rivals. While there will be no change in the lineup of Japan, Paraguay will have to be content without Victor Caceres defensive midfielder because of suspension while Antolin Alcaraz centre-back could come back after being out in the last game due to an ankle injury. This is the first battle of the two teams at the World Cup but they have already engaged six times at the past. The South Americans have listed two wins and Japan has one.

This will be a match up between Justo Villar vs. Keisuke Honda. Villar was injured in the start of the opening minutes of Paraguay’s 2006 Germany campaign, he is trying to make amends now and let just one goal during the group match. The 32-year-old captain must be aware of Honda, Japan’s danger man. He is a midfielder who turned striker who has already scored twice so far. The CSKA Moscow man became Japan’s new talisman for several months now and scored six goals that anchored six wins.

Japan with play with pace and agility, the players can change the direction of a match so focused and keep running up to the end, said Paraguay forward Santa Cruz, Paraguay forward. Paraguay’s defense is very organized, their physical strength is good and also good on handling the ball, and they are difficult opponents, said Japan midfielder Yuki Abe.

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