Germany vs. Spain: ‘beautiful battle’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/07/2010 (5936 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Germany’s disciplined defence and clinical counter-attacks led to a convincing 4-0 win over Argentina on Saturday to set up a World Cup semifinal against Spain, which needed a late goal from David Villa to beat Paraguay 1-0.

Germany repeated history by beating Argentina in the quarter-finals for the second World Cup in a row, ruining Diego Maradona’s bid to become the third person to win the tournament both as a player and coach.

Thomas Mueller gave Germany an early lead in Cape Town, and Miroslav Klose scored two second-half goals either side of Arne Friedrich’s simple tap-in as the Germans scored four goals in a match for the third time this tournament.

"What the team showed, it was not only international level, but the level of champions," Germany coach Joachim Loew said. "It was absolute class."

Klose’s two goals in his 100th international gives him 14 total World Cup scores, putting him level with fellow German Gerd Mueller on the all-time list. Brazil’s Ronaldo tops the list with 15, but Klose will have two more games at this tournament to surpass him.

In the other quarter-final in Johannesburg, Villa’s tournament-leading fifth goal took Spain to its first World Cup semifinal after both teams missed penalties over a three-minute span in the second half.

Villa collected the ball inside the area after teammate Pedro Rodriguez had hit the post, and curled a shot that struck the far post and then the near post before crossing the line in the 83rd minute.

Spain meets Germany in Durban on Wednesday, the team it beat in the 2008 European Championship final.

"Quite apart from their results, the Germans are playing brilliantly, so they must be tremendously motivated," Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta said. "It will be a game between two rivals who enjoy having the ball and I think it will be a beautiful battle."

Argentina entered the game with perhaps the tournament’s most potent attacking lineup, but neither Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez or Gonzalo Higuain managed to break down the compact wall of German defenders.

Instead it was Argentina’s defence that repeatedly cracked as all three of Germany’s second-half goals came on well-constructed counters.

"The first cross produced a goal, and suddenly we were looking at a different game," said a devastated Maradona, who left his future as coach in doubt. "They took advantage of all their chances."

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World Cup semifinals

Uruguay vs. Netherlands, Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. (CBC)

Germany vs. Spain, Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. (CBC)