Penalty experts Germany did it again as they became the first team ever to beat Argentina via spot kicks, this in the first quarter final of World Cup 2006.
A packed Berlin Olympiastadion witnessed a dramatic match which once again showed that you can never write off the home nation, especially when that nation is Germany.
Much maligned by their own supporters during the opening stages of the tournament, Germany looked slightly taken aback in the early stages against an Argentina side whose possession game has been one of the highlights of the World Cup.
Starting with Tevez and Crespo upfront the Argentines had plenty of ball possession and looked to break out the carefully designed formation of Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann whose philosophy seemed to be to contain the South American’s in the first half and attempt to break them down on the counter using the pacey combination of Klose and Podolski.
The first half was of chess like design with neither side wanting to show their hand two early; the tempo was slow with Argentina controlling much of the early ball. Seemingly happy for them to do so in deep positions Germany were tenacious in their defending and looked dangerous through Podolski working the channels whenever possession changed hands.
Failing to register a single shot in the first twenty minutes both sides refused to be drawn into a high tempo game as Argentina looked for a way to break down the well marshaled German defense. Playmaker Riquelme was well followed in advanced areas and fell deeper and deeper towards his own backline in an attempt to become an influential force for his side. The deep play from Villarreal’s superstar midfielder allowed Chelsea new boy and German captain Michael Ballack to pick up on any loose passes and begin to become influential as the half wore on.
It was the number 13 who had the best chance of the half with a long range shot which kicked up off the turf and tested Abbondanzieri in the Argentine goal.
The second half began in the same vein as the first had ended with both sides willing to give nothing away. It took a run from forward Tevez to open the game up somewhat and from a run in which he was dispossessed the tempo of the game changed.
Argentina had a speight of corners and with the third played into a successful area, defender Roberto Ayala was able to break free of his marker and head the South American’s into the lead. From this point onwards however Germany became the ascendant team with Argentina seemingly happy to hit the home side on the break. The pressure was too much to handle however and Ballack was able to begin conducting proceedings with passes creating space for Schweinsteiger and Lahm.
With Riquelme withdraw and no introduction of Messi or Saviola Argentina threatened to strangle the life out of the game, but their wasteful possession was capitalized on by the German’s who’s home crowd began to roar them on with increasing volume.
When Argentina goalkeeper Abbondanzieri was injured by an inadvertent clash with Miroslav Klose the game appeared to be turning increasingly towards the hosts. The impressive Boroski was brought on in midfield and the lightning quick Odonkor tested Sorin several times down the German right several times, a stark warning of what was to come. The Argentines however failed to heed the signs of their demise and brought on Cruz to offer them more stability going forward.
Fifteen minutes from the end Germany finally managed to make a breakthrough into the Argentina penalty area, with the danger half clear the ball was flicked on towards Klose whose stopping header was enough to beat Argentina replacement Leo Franco. As Klose celebrated the stadium, home of the national team erupted as a cauldron of noise as Argentina looked to hold onto what they had for the final minutes.
As the game flowed into extra time both sides seemed to be settling for penalties, Lehman was forced to react quickly was the ball rebounded off his cross bar but he was little troubled by anything Argentina had to offer and so the lottery or penalty kicks was left to decide the contest.
Germany took first with Neuville finding the net despite a touch from the keeper, pressure on for Argentina however Cruz managed to block out the boos and find the roof of the net. The injured captain strolled up next and powered his penalty into the corner but Ayala the next Argentina player was not so cool despite his experience. A weekly side footed strike was enough to allow Germany a slender lead.
The score’s stayed separated by one with the side going first leading but as Cambiasso stepped up there was an air of inevitability about the outcome of the game. Lehman sprawled to his right and with firm firsts knocked the ball away to give the host nation yet another dramatic penalty victory.
On leaving the field he shook hands with rival goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, his biggest critic as the rest of the German players celebrated a victory which puts them just one step away from the final.
A packed Berlin Olympiastadion witnessed a dramatic match which once again showed that you can never write off the home nation, especially when that nation is Germany.
Much maligned by their own supporters during the opening stages of the tournament, Germany looked slightly taken aback in the early stages against an Argentina side whose possession game has been one of the highlights of the World Cup.
Starting with Tevez and Crespo upfront the Argentines had plenty of ball possession and looked to break out the carefully designed formation of Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann whose philosophy seemed to be to contain the South American’s in the first half and attempt to break them down on the counter using the pacey combination of Klose and Podolski.
The first half was of chess like design with neither side wanting to show their hand two early; the tempo was slow with Argentina controlling much of the early ball. Seemingly happy for them to do so in deep positions Germany were tenacious in their defending and looked dangerous through Podolski working the channels whenever possession changed hands.
Failing to register a single shot in the first twenty minutes both sides refused to be drawn into a high tempo game as Argentina looked for a way to break down the well marshaled German defense. Playmaker Riquelme was well followed in advanced areas and fell deeper and deeper towards his own backline in an attempt to become an influential force for his side. The deep play from Villarreal’s superstar midfielder allowed Chelsea new boy and German captain Michael Ballack to pick up on any loose passes and begin to become influential as the half wore on.
It was the number 13 who had the best chance of the half with a long range shot which kicked up off the turf and tested Abbondanzieri in the Argentine goal.
The second half began in the same vein as the first had ended with both sides willing to give nothing away. It took a run from forward Tevez to open the game up somewhat and from a run in which he was dispossessed the tempo of the game changed.
Argentina had a speight of corners and with the third played into a successful area, defender Roberto Ayala was able to break free of his marker and head the South American’s into the lead. From this point onwards however Germany became the ascendant team with Argentina seemingly happy to hit the home side on the break. The pressure was too much to handle however and Ballack was able to begin conducting proceedings with passes creating space for Schweinsteiger and Lahm.
With Riquelme withdraw and no introduction of Messi or Saviola Argentina threatened to strangle the life out of the game, but their wasteful possession was capitalized on by the German’s who’s home crowd began to roar them on with increasing volume.
When Argentina goalkeeper Abbondanzieri was injured by an inadvertent clash with Miroslav Klose the game appeared to be turning increasingly towards the hosts. The impressive Boroski was brought on in midfield and the lightning quick Odonkor tested Sorin several times down the German right several times, a stark warning of what was to come. The Argentines however failed to heed the signs of their demise and brought on Cruz to offer them more stability going forward.
Fifteen minutes from the end Germany finally managed to make a breakthrough into the Argentina penalty area, with the danger half clear the ball was flicked on towards Klose whose stopping header was enough to beat Argentina replacement Leo Franco. As Klose celebrated the stadium, home of the national team erupted as a cauldron of noise as Argentina looked to hold onto what they had for the final minutes.
As the game flowed into extra time both sides seemed to be settling for penalties, Lehman was forced to react quickly was the ball rebounded off his cross bar but he was little troubled by anything Argentina had to offer and so the lottery or penalty kicks was left to decide the contest.
Germany took first with Neuville finding the net despite a touch from the keeper, pressure on for Argentina however Cruz managed to block out the boos and find the roof of the net. The injured captain strolled up next and powered his penalty into the corner but Ayala the next Argentina player was not so cool despite his experience. A weekly side footed strike was enough to allow Germany a slender lead.
The score’s stayed separated by one with the side going first leading but as Cambiasso stepped up there was an air of inevitability about the outcome of the game. Lehman sprawled to his right and with firm firsts knocked the ball away to give the host nation yet another dramatic penalty victory.
On leaving the field he shook hands with rival goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, his biggest critic as the rest of the German players celebrated a victory which puts them just one step away from the final.