Germans too good for Maradona's team

Argentina vs Germany - World Cup Quarter-Finals 2010

The clash of the titans in football is always awaited with much anticipation. The press, media and other sport talk shows get into all sorts of comparison, pulling out statistics and discussing tactics with the football pundits as to who would emerge 'The Winner'.

This particular quarter final saw one of the best European nations taking on one of the finest South American Nations. Germany with their young squad were up against Maradona's well experienced team with the world's footballer of the year Lionel Messi leading the forefront for the Argentinians. The venue was set in the coastal city of South Africa- Cape Town. The Germans were clad in their other kit, sporting the black and golden colours where as the Argentinians were in their traditional sky blue and white stripe shirts.

Germany got off to a dream start when Bastian Schweinsteiger took the free kick and delivered the ball right into the six yard box for the 20 year old Thomas Muller to head the ball right into the Argentinian goalkeeper's legs and then deflected into the net. Three minutes gone and the Germans were upbeat and in the lead. For the first in this world cup Mr. Maradona looked a worried man and it was also the first time that Argentina were behind.

The Germans could have easily doubled their lead but Klose miscued the shot and it went over the cross bar. Argentina were in top form in later part of the first half, launching onslaught after onslaught but the solid German defence denied them anything. Tevez, Messi and Higuain looked unimpressive. First half gone Germany were in the lead.

Argentina regrouped themselves and showed some attacking football in the second half. They needed a goal to come back in the game and take the game to Germany. Crisp defending by Lahm denied the Argentinians a chance to score, had Lahm not cleared the ball at the vital moment Argentina would have gone level. The young German squad were in top form in this world cup, destroying their opponents ruthlessly. Miroslav Klose scored the second goal for the Germans in the 67th minute and virtually sealed any comebacks for Argentina.

The Argentinians needed some magic from their hero Messi. Messi tried hard,dribbled well, took on the German defenders single handed but luck was not on his side. He couldn't find the back of the German net. Argentina's woes got worse as the game progresses. In the process to score goals their defence was exposed and was lackadaisical. Schweinsteiger making an easy run into the box and delivered a low pass to Friedrich who tapped the ball into the Argentinian net.

The scoreline read Argentina 0 Germany 3.

The German onslaught didn't stop end there. Their hunger for goals and the desire to kill their opponents produced another goal from Klose in the 89th minute. The Germans had reserved their berth for the semis and were on cloud nine. The Argentinians were distraught.

Another South American was sent home packing. They follow the shoes of Brazil who exited the world cup yesterday when they were ousted by Netherlands.

Could the Germans win the world cup for the fourth time? They await either Paraguay or Spain in the semis. If they continue this killer form then Germany could go all the way and come out with top laurels and the $30 million prize at South Africa.

FINAL SCORE LINE: GERMANY 4 ARGENTINA 0