GERMANY 1 ARGENTINA 1 (Germany win on pens) - MATCH REPORT
Report by Pez

It was hosts Germany who continued their World Cup party by overcoming many people's favourites, Argentina, in penalty shoot out drama in the Olimpiastadion.

Eight years to the day since beating England in a penalty shoot-out, it was Argentina who felt the harsh end of the deal as Esteban Cambiasso missed the key final penalty. The first half was devoid of any real action, each side seeming happy to figure the opposition out in preperation for the second 45 minutes. Even so it was Argentina who looked most like grabbing the early goal, Juan Sorin's bursts, Juan Riquelme's set pieces and Hernan Crespo's hard running were causing the German defence problems, while the hosts themselves were limited to pot shots from Lukas Podolski and Torsten Frings.

The game was more open from the off in the second half, and it was no surprise to see a Riquelme set-piece unlocking the Germans. His pacey, outswinging corner was powered home by the leap of captain Roberto Ayala and with Germany so far struggling to make any real inroads in to Argentine territory, the game seemed Argentina's to lose.

The South Americans were dealt a real blow with over 20 minutes left, 'keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri was forced off after an awkward landing and was replaced with Leo Franco. That seemed to be their undoing, with Germany getting closer and closer to scoring every time they went forward. After some strange Argentina substitutions, Germany got their equaliser, Michael Ballack's left wing cross was flicked on by Tim Borowski, and arriving at the back post to get the better of a static Sorin was Miroslav Klose who nodded across goal to beat a despairing Franco.

With Riquelme and Hernan Crespo now off the pitch, Argentina were relying too much on an isolated Carlos Tevez, and Germany had the upper-hand but extra time was forced upon the sides. Extra-time was uneventful mainly; only Coloccini went close twice with long-range efforts, as Germany struggled to keep poessesion with the injured Michael Ballack merely a spectator. With neither side keen to risk too much, the match was to be decided on penalties.

The first three penalties were dispatched with ease, but goalscorer in normal time Ayala's penalty was a simple save for an agile Jens Lehmann. By the time Cambiasso stepped up, the scores were at 4-2, and the Inter man had to score to keep Argentina in it. His penalty wasn't too bad, but Lehamnn got there to send 72,000 people in to raptures, and Germany in to the Semi-finals of the World Cup, again.

Man Of The Match: Jens Lehmann - Only beaten in normal time by an unstoppable header, but otherwise did his job, and in the penalty shoot-out, his saves sent Argentina crashing out, and give him hero status in his homeland.

Referee: Lubos Michel
Venue: Olympiastadion
Attendance: 72,000

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