On this day 10 years ago, we witnessed the birth of the BBC Sport website. So what better way to mark the anniversary than with a veritable bevvy of world class football? Two down, two to go - today, ladies and gentleman, sees the last of the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals. Be excited.

Let's get it out of the way early - yes, today's first quarter-final could have involved England. It doesn't though. Mainly because they were just a little bit rubbish. So instead we kick proceedings off at 1500 BST with Argentina v Germany. Two footballing giants, and a fixture almost literally dripping in history. When these two play, fireworks go off. Guaranteed.

Following that, pre-tournament favourites Spain look to continue their World Cup renaissance in the last of the quarter-final ties against surprise package Paraguay. On the face of it a less glamorous tie, yes, but I reckon it might just stun us all as a goalfest. Ever the optimist huh?

So I, Sam Lyon, am here to get the chat up and running before our man in Johannesburg Jonathan Stevenson picks up the baton in a couple of hours and runs with it all the way through today's monster matches. You know the drill by now, I'm sure, but just in case your Friday evening was even better than you expected, here's the deal. Text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide), I'm on Twitter @sampatricklyon or you can always get involved on 606. Do it.

But before we get into the melee of today's pair of box-office beauties, let's all spare a thought for how Asamoah Gyan feels this morning, yes? The poor Ghanaian forward had history in his hands, a penalty to send Ghana through to the first World Cup semi-final in their history in the last minute of extra-time, and he smashed it against the bar. Uruguay went on to win the shoot-out, and two things occured. Gyan broke down. And you lot erupted in a debate so furious it now sports its own furrowed brow and gnashing teeth. So what do we think - Luis Suarez - hero or villain?

For what it's worth, was I the only one left wondering why Luis Suarez didn't just, you know, head the ball? Stick your neck out and head it son, and there's no debate here. Still, it has at least provided this World Cup with yet another talking point. The football might have failed to spark at times, but what with goal-line technology, feigning injury, vuvuzelas and now the "Hand of Suarez" we aint half had some controversy! Love it.

As Dan Walker alludes to below, Fifa spokesman Pekka Odriozol has revealed the body will consider whether to hand Luis Suarez a one- or a two-match ban for his handball last night. The Ajax frontman reasoned after the match: "This was the end of the World Cup. I had no choice," while Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said: "Saying we cheated Ghana is too harsh a word to use. Yes Luis stuck his hand out but it's not cheating. I don't think it's fair to say that." Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac graciously added: "I would like to congratulate Uruguay."

Anyway, let's move on. We could be here all day debating this. For more on Luis Suarez, check out Paul Fletcher's cracking piece and get commenting. The poor fella's blog has only generated 450-odd replies so far. Embarrassing.

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie has been taken to hospital for a scan on an arm injury. Not sure how serious that is at the moment, I'll try to keep you posted.

And talking of the Netherlands - what a result for those boys yesterday. The Oranje are without question THE form team in the tournament, and Brazil - despite bossing the first half in my humble opinion - simply could not cope with Bert van Marwijk's side from set-pieces. With Uruguay next up for them in the last four, who is betting against the Dutch securing their first ever World Cup? As for Brazil, our man Chris Bevan spoke to Lee Dixon to find out where it all went wrong. In short, in defence I think is the answer.

And if you were otherwise engaged yesterday, firstly - what on earth are you playing at, this is the World Cup?!! And secondly, check out our One Minute World Cup Video Clip (UK users only) to find out what happened in the World Cup yesterday in a single minute. In short, it does exactly what it says on the tin.

Now I know I've already said this, but before we get focusing on the monster Argentina-Germany tie this afternoon, let's not under-estimate Spain-Paraguay later. Don't forget - the Netherlands-Brazil was the "glamour" tie yesterday and look what Uruguay-Ghana brought us. Paul Fletcher, the hardest working journalist in showbiz (whose name is Paul Fletcher), has been chatting to Paraguay and Manchester City frontman Roque Santa Cruz ahead of the tie - and he has a shock win in his sights.

Right then, with just over a couple of hours until kick-off and the line-ups due to land on our desks in around an hour, why don't we turn our attention to the match people are already calling "The 2010 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina v Germany"? If today's encounter is anything like the classics of days gone by, we're in for a right royal treat and no mistake.

Argentina and Germany have met five times at a World Cup, and twice in the final with the score one apiece. In 1986, having beaten England in the quarters, a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina overcame Germany 3-2 in the final to lay their hands on the trophy, four years before Germany, having beaten England in the semis, exacted their revenge with a 1-0 win. If beating England en route to this meeting is some sort of omen, then Germany are favourites today - as if you needed reminding.

And as if you needed further evidence of the Argentina-Germany rivalry, Germany captain Philipp Lahm has kindly obliged by labelling Diego Maradona's side as bad losers, adding: "We know South Americans are impulsive and temperamental and cannot lose. We'll see on Saturday how they'll lose and how they'll behave after a defeat." Bastian Schweinsteiger also weighed in, claiming Argentina's players set out to unsettle opposing teams and influence match officials. Tempestuous.

And Diego Maradona's response to Phillip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger's claims? "What's the matter with you, Schweinsteiger, are you nervous?" Someone seriously needs to give ol' Badger Beard a Friday night chat show don't they? Brilliant.

Our man in Johannesburg Jonathan Stevenson has just pointed out to me that Diego Maradona has in fact already hosted his own chat show. Darn it. My next ideas involve getting Gary Lineker to host a weekly football highlights show and then asking England defender Rio Ferdinand to get involved on Twitter. Nice.

The Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder has been credited with his side's first goal against Brazil in Friday's quarter-final, taking him to four goals for the tournament. Good news for Golden Boot sweepstake gamers.

And on that confident prediction from Simon Osler, I'm going to hand over to young Jonathan Stevenson in Johannesburg for all the team news and match action from both Argentina-Germany and Spain-Paraguay. Man I love the World Cup. There are only eight days left of it, so let's make the most of it yeah? Laters.

Welcome back to Jo’burg. Twenty years ago, West Germany and Argentina met in the World Cup final. As a nine-year-old whose only experiences of the greatest show on earth had ended in devastating defeats to these two countries, I wondered if there was any way they could both somehow lose. Today, I’m wondering if my two favourite teams in the 2010 tournament, Germany and Argentina, can both win. Doesn’t football do funny things to people?

I was spared the trauma of watching the woeful 1990 final by my parents, but it’s fair to say not many people are expecting a similarly ugly contest this afternoon. Throw in some of the world’s greatest players, two coaches who like their teams to attack and two countries with some serious World Cup history, and you’ve got the kind of match-up that makes football fans go weak at the knees. And we haven’t even got on to Diego Armando Maradona yet.

Hey, could you refresh your page so we can give Sam Lyon a well-earned break? Thanks. Johannesburg is a little muted today after the carnage of what happened at Soccer City last night, and my head’s still spinning in a non-hungover-type way from THAT ending to Uruguay-Ghana. But if it was talking points we wanted from this tournament, my word we’ve got them. In their dozens.

"The 'Hand of God' now belongs to me. Mine is the real 'Hand Of God'. I made the best save of the tournament. Sometimes in training I play as a goalkeeper so it was worth it. There was no alternative but for me to do that."

Germany 2-3 Argentina

Argentina: 22-Sergio Romero; 15-Nicolas Otamendi, 2-Martin Demichelis, 4-Nicolas Burdisso, 6-Gabriel Heinze, 14-Javier Mascherano, 20-Maxi Rodriguez, 7-Angel Di Maria, 10-Lionel Messi, 11-Carlos Tevez, 9-Gonzalo Higuain.
Germany: 1-Manuel Neuer; 16-Philipp Lahm, 3-Arne Friedrich, 17-Per Mertesacker, 20-Jerome Boateng, 13-Thomas Mueller, 6-Sami Khedira, 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 10-Lukas Podolski, 8-Mesut Ozil, 11-Miroslav Klose.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan).

You know, even if this game turns into the fingers-crossed-classic we’re hoping for, I bet the names “Luis” and “Suarez” occasionally pop up in today’s chat. Hey, I’m not judging anyone, it’s your special day: whack us a tweet @Stevo_football; stun the 606ers with your wit and wisdom; and get bashing over those texts to 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide). We’ve got six games to go - you snooze, it’s the World Cup that will lose.

It's very much a case of 'as you were' for Argentina and Germany, then, with both sides unchanged from their second-round matches. Diego Maradona's side, therefore, are boosted by Lionel Messi's recovery from a slight cold and fever earlier in the week, while German striker Miroslav Klose will make his 100th international appearance.

Here's a starter for 10 from our friends at Infostrada Sports: This could be the fourth World Cup in a row in which a manager reaches the semi-final having earlier achieved this as a player. Diego Maradona can emulate Brazilian Mario Zagallo (1998) and Germany managers Rudi Voller (2002) and Jurgen Klinsmann (2006).

Argentina's bench: Pozo, Rodriguez, Bolatti, Veron, Garce, Samuel, Aguero, Gutierrez, Palermo, Milito, Andujar, Pastore.
Germany's bench: Wiese, Jansen, Aogo, Tasci, Kiessling, Badstuber, Trochowski, Kroos, Cacau, Marin, Butt, Gomez.

Four years ago, I was sitting at Television Centre in London screaming at my telly (an average day) as Argentina coach Jose Pekerman refused to summon a certain 19-year-old from his substitutes bench and his team bowed out of the World Cup to Germany on penalties. Today, now the boy has become a man, Lionel Messi carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders.

I wonder what Germany legend Jurgen Klinsmann, who played against Argentina in that rubbish 1990 final, makes of today's encounter? "Both sides are very attack-minded and have got tremendous potential going forward, but they go about it in very different ways and it will be a clash of two very distinctive systems." Job done.

It'd be fair to say this is a pretty big deal in both countries. While the Obelisco fills up in Buenos Aires, BBC Radio 5 live are reporting from Berlin that 400,000 people are expected to gather at the Brandenburg Gate to watch the match.

These two teams are in-form, make no mistake. Argentina have scored 10 goals and Germany nine, making them the top two so far in South Africa. With the likes of Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, Thomas Mueller, Miroslav Klose, Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Angel di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain on the pitch, expect fireworks.

"I'll tell the players to do everything. They have to leave their lives on the pitch. Behind them is a whole country who haven't enjoyed a victory for a long time. They are so excited at the moment. Argentina depends on this team to be able to get up in the morning with a smile on their faces."

“Argentina go to the limits. That is typical of South American teams. They are very aggressive, which means there will be a cut-throat fight. But that doesn't mean we lack in respect for them.”

The players are out and the referee has picked up the Jabulani off the plinth, so after captains Javier Mascherano and Philipp Lahm read out Fifa anti-discrimination message, let's listen to a couple of national anthems that World Cup watchers will be all-too-familiar with.

I know you think I've got a weird anthem obsession, but they are two of the greats. I had a shiver down my spine during both of them, and I'm absolutely positively neither German nor Argentine.

Miroslav Klose charges into the back of Javier Mascherano and referee Ravshan Irmatov from Uzbekistan has his first calming down job to do. I'd have put good money on that foul being vice-versa.

What a start from Germany, they have raced out of the blocks and only an alert Sergio Romero racing off his line thwarts Sami Khedira this time.

Argentina's defence is all over the place, but they break with pace and with Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain queuing up at the back post, Angel di Maria wastes a great crossing chance from their left.

When Germany go forward, they look alarmingly clinical. Lukas Podolski's right-foot shot from 18 yards takes a deflection before sailing wide and Argentina have not got started yet.

Argentina are finding space of their own when they manage to get forward, but again Angel di Maria's cross from the left isn't accurate enough and Germany clear. Javier Mascherano slides in recklessly on Bastian Schweinsteiger, but he escapes a booking.

Has Lionel Messi got David Beckham syndrome? He's so, so deep, playing almost as a quarter-back to try and get the ball off his centre-backs. It means he's got a lot to do when he gets the ball, the little magician.

Our friends at Infostrada Sports also tell us that was the quickest goal at this World Cup, beating Steven Gerrard's effort against USA. Those Germans, they just will not let England have anything, will they?

For all the talk of the flair teams at this World Cup, the pace, movement and intelligent off-the-ball work of this Germany side takes some beating. They switch positions brilliantly too, making the front players so hard to pick up.

Lionel Messi plays a Xavi-like cute pass into the Germany area and Carlos Tevez just cannot quite get there ahead of Manuel Neuer, who does well to race off his line.

Should be 2-0. Thomas Mueller, who might be in the running for player of the tournament at this rate, bursts down the right for Germany and when he gets into the box he superbly tees up Miroslav Klose 14 yards out - only for the striker to lean back and balloon his shot over the bar.

Better from Lionel Messi. He takes Chris Waddle's advice down the Argentine right and bursts past two defenders, but his cross from the byeline drifts out. A minute later, Gabby Heinze spoons a shot wide from 25 yards.

Argentina have taken the sting out of Germany's relentless start by keeping the ball and though they don't look especially dangerous, they are much more in the game than they were 10 minutes ago.

Lionel Messi whacks a left-foot free-kick loads over the bar from about 25 yards - cue sighs from the punters in Cape Town.

Argentina are finding a bit more space in the Germany backline and Angel di Maria gets into the area on the right, but his shot lack power and direction and it's an easy pick-up for Manuel Neuer, who is yet to be tested.

It's pathetic that Thomas Mueller would miss the semi-final if Germany make it. Two yellow cards in five games and he'd have to miss the biggest game of his career? Do me a favour, it's ridiculous.

Best we've seen from Germany for a while as Lukas Podolski lets one rip from his sweet left foot and he catches it beautifully, the ball whistling just wide of Sergio Romero's left-hand post.

Germany deal with an Argentina corner and break with pace, Thomas Mueller sending Mesut Ozil away down their right, but Javier Mascherano gets in a brilliant tackle to avert the danger.

Argentina's defence is still so shaky. Philipp Lahm burns past Gabby Heinze down the right and pulls it back for Thomas Mueller, but his toe-poked shot is deflected behind. Sergio Romero punches the corner away and Argentina survive.

No changes at the break, oh to have been a fly on the wall in the Argentina dressing-room at half-time. We're back under way in Cape Town.

"Boys, lift the tempo, get stuck into them. Leave everything you've got on that pitch." Or something like that, from Diego Maradona. They have started well too, it's all in the Germany half at the moment.

Whoosh that was close. Germany give the ball away and Angel di Maria hits a screamer with his left foot from about 25 yards that has Manuel Neuer scrambling along his line before it drifts a couple of yards wide of his right-hand post. Like I said, whoosh.

Now it's Germany's turn to try and kill the pace of the game, with Argentina very keen to get a move on. Mesut Ozil is crowded out inside the Argentine area and the Albiceleste come again.

Much better from Argentina. They get Angel di Maria away down the right and his deep cross is chested into the path of Carlos Tevez, who hits a fierce left-foot volley that smacks flush into the face of Per Mertesacker. Ouch.

The game's a bit stretched and both teams are giving it away cheaply at the moment. It could yet erupt.

Nicolas Otamendi's poor control leads to him fouling Miroslav Klose and it's 25 yards out in a central position. All sorts of German footballers are going to fancy this one.

It's Bastian Schweinsteiger's turn to hit one into the wall.

Carlos Tevez hits one from 25 yards, but it's too straight and there's a comfortable save for Manuel Neuer. Moments later Gonzalo Higuain shoots from an angle on the left and despite some poor handling, Neuer gathers at the second attempt.

There was a massive roar from the German area of the International Broadcast Centre in Jo'burg when that Miroslav Klose goal went in - I think they knew that was the game won. Argentina's players look finished.

I spent half of yesterday reeling. I need to find a new word for this sensation, because it's happening too often at the moment. This World Cup. This South African World Cup. What are you doing to us?

Germany are toying with Argentina and Toni Kroos' shot from 25 yards is parried away by Sergio Romero. Diego Maradona scratches his head and stands still on the touchline for perhaps the first time in the tournament. It's a sad sight.

This isn't just a beating, it's a destruction - and the destroyer-in-chief is Bastian Schweinsteiger. On this performance, you'd be hard pressed to find a more influential footballer in the world, he's been absolutely magnificent.

Argentina are doing some token attacking, but it's utterly futile. Lionel Messi shoots from 25 yards again, but again it flies into the arms of Manuel Neuer.

Don't cry for me, Argentina. Maxi Rodriguez and some of his team-mates are in tears and as always, it's hard to watch. But Germany - where have you come from? This team, it's just outrageous.

I'm in a whirl (I found a different word to 'reeling' - you like it?). Germany, who have now scored 13 goals in five games, will play the winners of tonight's quarter-final between Paraguay and Spain - that semi will take place in Durban on Wednesday at 1930 BST.

Just watching pictures of Diego Maradona during the game, that man went through everything. When the third one went in, he bowed his head on the back of son-in-law Sergio Aguero, who was about to come on as a sub. No-one on earth will be hurting more than Maradona right now.

That's my favourite text of the tournament so far from Wouter, so well done you. Bear this in mind, though: Germany have never gone more than 20 years without winning the World Cup, and their last triumph came in 1990. Pranav Soneji will kick off coverage of Paraguay v Spain shortly, I'll see you soon. Reeling (oops).