Argentina v Germany: Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, sat between Table Top Mountain and the coast, only a year old and seats 66,000 fans of the finalists of 1986 and 1990 in their quarter-final clash
Scourge of West Germany in 1986 and captain against them in the final of 1990, now Diego Maradona is in charge of an Argentina side in a World Cup they barely qualified for but suddenly look unstoppable in
Fresher in the minds of the youthful Germany team will be the quarter-final win on penalties in 2006 against Argentina though, with 19 goals between the sides this time, high-scoring entertainment is expected
Germany attack straight from kick-off and Thomas Mueller glances home a third-minute free-kick, his fourth goal for Germany and at this World Cup, and the first time Argentina have been behind
Though Carlos Tevez and particularly Angel Di Maria find space and good positions going forward, Germany's marking, threat on the counter and quick closing-down of their opponents gives Argentina no options
Tevez, Di Maria and particularly Lionel Messi have no time on the ball but when the World Footballer of the Year does get to pick a pass only the bravery of Manuel Neuer can deny Tevez an equaliser
Maradona's side press but the difference between the teams can be seen in their defences as Germany move as one, catching four men offside to again deny an equaliser
Argentina continue to control the ball and begin to look no more than a touch or roll of the ball away from drawing level, including Di Maria's long-range left-foot effort that whips past Neuer's far post
With neither Messi or Bastian Schweinsteiger able to dominate the match it falls to - and enables -teammates around them to keep Argentina dangerous but Germany in control
The game stretches, Germany respond by attacking and grab a second goal - Sam Khedira playing in Lukas Podolski who lays the ball on for Miroslav Klose to tap his in to an empty net
The goal is Klose's 13th in World Cup Finals, one more than Pele, makes them the top scorers so far in this tournament and leaves Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Burdisso and Sergio Romero on the floor
Another South American giant is going home as Germany start playing for fun and Schweinsteiger beats three men to put a third goal on a plate for Arne Friedrich, his first international strike
The game is over and Argentina are thrashed when Podolski sends Mesut Ozil down the left and his cross lands on the right boot of Klose who slots home his 14th Finals goal, one behind Ronaldo's record
Spain 1-0 Paraguay: Spanish fans head to Soccer City in Johannesburg hopeful of once again defeating South American opposition in the last quarter-final of South Africa 2010
Paraguay, though, have seen off European giants Italy in the group stage and any nerves displayed by the teams may well be over the prospect of facing a rampant Germany in the semi-final this Wednesday
The opening exchanges are tight with Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque and striker Fernando Torres, yet to score and yet to show his potential in the tournament, showing their frustration
The closest the first 45 minutes come to producing a goal is through Paraguay striker Nelson Valdez, who has the ball in the net midway through the first half only to be ruled offside
Spain introduce Arsenal midfielder and Barcelona target Cesc Fabregas just before the hour in an attempt to inject some life into a game in which Xavi and Andres Iniesta can not find their usually formidable rhythm
Just after the hour mark Paraguay are awarded a penalty when Oscar Cardozo is held back by Gerard Pique but the Benfica forward's spot kick is superbly saved by Iker Casillas
Moments later Spain are also awarded a penalty, which Xabi Alonso scores from. However, the Real Madrid midfielder is forced to retake the kick due to encroachment
And that retaken spot kick is missed by Alonso with Spain also appealing for a foul by goalkeeper Justo Villar on Fabregas in the aftermath of the penalty
With eight minutes left David Villa gives Spain the lead with his fifth goal of the World Cup, and of his side's six goals in the tournament, putting him at the top of the Golden Boot contenders' table
Late on Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz has a chance to equalise for Paraguay but his low shot under pressure is saved by the feet of Casillas
Spain hold on for victory to reach their first ever World Cup semi-final and to complete a hat-trick of European quarter-final wins over South American opposition
~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~35~RS~){kind=small}
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~35~RS~)
E-mail this to a friend
Bookmark with:
What are these?