From Germany 0-4 to 4-1 Spain rout of ,Argentina, World Cup again

This is a failure to carry out the World Cup finals. “Argentina and the Spanish media before World War in the Assi, such sentences are used to emphasize the importance of the game. The World Cup in South Africa, Argentina, Germany 0 to 4 were eliminated, failed to move forward Lionel Messi and Barcelona teammates also not met a reality. This defect was up after the World Cup, while Argentina is the fans happy that Batista’s team has to a large score 4 to 1, defeated the new world champion . debacle from 0 to 4, to 4 to 1 victory, behind Argentina’s Phoenix Nirvana, has anything changed?

Argentina’s national team media compared Batista and Diego Maradona’s team some of the differences. First, the use of personnel, Javier Zanetti, Esteban Cambiasso, these Maradona won the reuse of abandoned children age, these players are hard, with the fighting spirit to support the team, their presence is Argentina’s style has become tough, become more sound footing. In addition, the midfield, Esteban Cambiasso’s play is no longer alone to Mascherano, Banega’s play for Argentina gained more control of the ball. Front line, the staff has not changed, or Messi, Higuain and Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi, but not so on the list the location, and Batista even ordered the retreat more than 30 meters are not allowed Massey, location forward , the greater the power of Messi.

45 minutes of the time, Argentina will defeat the world champion Spain, and Argentina is very obvious advantage in the midfield. Batista let Banega and Esteban Cambiasso to help Mascherano, Argentina’s midfield looked more decisive force, more rhythm, more focused attention on the players. Under the disadvantages, Fabregas and Aweiluoya can stop Carlos Tevez, Fernando Alonso could not find Iniesta.

After the game’s rating, Banega received 8 points, the experts praised Banega in the right flank of the pass very well, he’s with a very good job with Javier Mascherano, Banega is the organization of Argentina who is the distribution of the ball who match his performance proved that he can be firmly installed in the location of main national team. Mascherano received 7 points, he is no longer the World Cup in South Africa as helpless, he blocked well, like a broom as the guardian of defense, Esteban Cambiasso and Banega given him a great help, running no more than the World Cup, but the effect larger. Esteban Cambiasso also 7 points, reviews, said the Inter Titans not radiant performance, but Argentina’s offense and defense conversion are essential for in defense, he can fill the seats Heinze , in the attack, he can give support Carlos Tevez is a rare all-around player.

In contrast, the Spanish team’s performance in several midfield a lot worse. As captain of Alonso did not know how to lead the team, he often disappeared in Argentina, surrounded by players. Fabregas is not out of step with the team, he does not know how to pass, we are unable to meet with Iniesta, who because of their friends, eat card foul Messi. Iniesta this can not be called the team’s brain, he can not get the ball, the race has nothing to show. Spain’s midfield is a strong guarantee of victory, but this time they lost the midfield against Argentina.

The Argentina has become a real team, team offensive and defensive order. Unlike in the World Cup as Germany with a clear tactical victory and a strong midfield, while Argentina’s situation in backward tying spite of its desire, but the court has fallen into chaos, not scored, no strategy, players bleak, as a single defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano isolated, the other in the backcourt defense let Argentina’s little man combination is almost impossible to close to restricted areas. But now, Argentina’s performance has been very different.

Argentina’s “national newspaper” that Diego Maradona for his Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso not bring South Africa to pay the price. In these two players, led by the Argentine team have demonstrated a very strong fighting spirit, not only has Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to keep the pace up, even Messi and Higuain are actively scraping . Banega, particularly commendable, the former Boca player steals and passing aspects reflect a strong ability on the pitch, Mascherano, Banega become a natural partner, but as time carried out co-ordination between them will become more understanding. Esteban Cambiasso of Argentina midfielder rejoin enhanced hardness, so that the tactical team is more balanced, Argentina 433 tactics can safely play, while the World Cup in South Africa, this tactic because the midfielder’s weak, totally is an adventure.

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Klose doubtful for third-place play-off

Miroslav Klose’s hopes of becoming the World Cup’s all-time top scorer could be dashed by a back injury.

The Germany striker, 32, needs one goal against Uruguay in Saturday’s third-place play-off to draw level with Brazilian Ronaldo’s record of 15.

“He was hurt in an aerial duel, and we are hoping that he will be okay,” stated assistant coach Hansi Flick.

Captain Philipp Lahm shrugged off his own injury worries, saying: “It would astonish me if I wasn’t ready.”

“I have time to rest and the body can absorb the pain during a day off,” Lahm continued.

Germany had to settle for the third-place play-off for the second World Cup in a row after losing 1-0 to Spain in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

In 2006 the Germans beat Portugal to finish third and Lahm will be hoping for a similar consolation this time around.

“Four years ago, we thought it was fantastic to play for third place,” he added.

“Before, like a lot of people, I didn’t even want to watch this match on television. But now I believe that winning this match is important.”

General manager Oliver Bierhoff has been impressed by the way in which Germany have played in South Africa and has no doubt coach Joachim Loew’s young team have still to peak.

“We have some very young players with a very big future and this will be an important experience for them as they go forward in their careers,” Bierhoff reflected.

While Klose is unlikely to feature in the next World Cup – the 2014 finals in Brazil – the rest of the squad now has four years in which to get over their semi-final disappointment.

Bierhoff has no doubt that defeat will make Loew’s squad stronger for the challenges ahead.

“It is tough. If you dream, if you believe you are going to get a big performance it is hard when you lose.”

He added that it was simply a lack of experience which led to Germany’s undoing – with Spain offering an extra edge when compared to England and Argentina , against whom Loew’s side scored four goals apiece.

“Spain are probably the best team in the world, certainly in Europe,” Bierhoff reflected.

“It is bad for us, but we are a very young team and perhaps you could see a lack of experience. Some players were tired and we didn’t have the precision in our passing. We have to live with that.

“They were better on the pitch. They kept the ball. They deserved to win.

“The truth is we didn’t find a system to break them down. It is a big disappointment not to win but overall we are very satisfied with the tournament.”

Uruguay ‘to fight’ Germany for third

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has warned Germany that his side will “fight to the death” in Saturday’s World Cup third-place play-off in Port Elizabeth.

After missing out on a place in the final, the clash of the losing World Cup semi-finalists is often seen as little more than a glorified friendly.

But Tabarez said: “Yes, fourth position is not the same as others.

“But we will go in with the same commitment and enthusiasm as always. We will prepare to fight to the death.”

Uruguay missed out on a place in Sunday’s showpiece final in Johannesburg after their 3-2 defeat by Netherlands, while Germany crashed out at the penultimate hurdle 1-0 to Spain.

But both camps are insistent that they will resist the temptation to take their foot off the pedal at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

“For us, this World Cup is anything but over,” said Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff. “We will be 100 percent focused and dedicated (on Saturday).

“We want to play with the same fresh, free-flowing football we have shown so far here.”

Tabarez added: “At the moment, Germany and Uruguay have both secured fourth place by reaching the semi-final.

“But the challenge for Uruguay is to finish third in the World Cup. I know Germany and they will make it very difficult for us, so we must fight hard to win.”

La Celeste have already surpassed expectations by reaching the last four, despite winning the tournament twice before (in 1934 and 1950) largely thanks to the inspired form of frontman Diego Forlan.

The 31-year-old has scored four goals in the tournament so far – but his hopes of winning this year’s Golden Boot may well be scuppered by a thigh injury that affected his performance in the semi-final defeat by the Netherlands.

He hopes to be fit, but should he miss out on selection Uruguay can at least recall a natural successor in Luis Suarez – the Ajax forward available again after being suspended for the semi-final thanks to his controversial last-minute handball in the quarters against Ghana.

Germany may also have selection issues up front, with another Golden Boot contender – Miroslav Klose – struggling with a bad back.

Lukas Podolski and Philipp Lahm are also battling to shake off flu, but Thomas Mueller looks certain to be recalled after he too was suspended for the semi-final.

Either way, it is likely that Germany will give an opportunity to some of those players yet to make their mark in the tournament.

“Last night, some flu virus hit us hard, maybe to do with the flights, air conditioning and maybe the disappointment (of losing to Spain),” said Bierhoff, who revealed manager Joachim Loew was one of those suffering with the virus.

“Loew has a serious case of flu, but we are trying to get him fit and on the bench for Saturday.

“It remains to be seen if Klose will play, likewise we don’t want Lahm to get injured and then carry that into the new Bundesliga season.

“Sometimes it is good to field unspoiled players for this sort of match.”

Uruguay may consider themselves fresher given the advantage of having had an extra day off with their semi-final having been played on Tuesday.

And Tabarez, in his second spell in charge having guided Uruguay to the last 16 in 1990, said: “To use a term that is common in the team – we have to bury this match and get over our sorrow.

“We must give a good image like the one we delivered against the Netherlands on the pitch to show people in football that Uruguay wants to play at an equal level with others.

“We want to show that this is a team with pride, despite our limitations, and this third-place play-off match is important for this reason.”

Germany 0-1 Spain

Spain reached the World Cup final for the first time after a second-half header from Carles Puyol secured a narrow victory over Germany after an intriguing match in Durban.

Vicente del Bosque’s side won their fourth straight game 1-0 and will now play the Netherlands in Sunday’s final at Soccer City.

Spain deserved their victory after controlling huge periods of the match, but once again it was far from a vintage performance.

Del Bosque’s team improved on their scrappy performance against Paraguay in the previous round but still struggled to carve out clear openings.

The winning goal came when Puyol showed great determination to atone for a poor first-half miss by heading home Xavi’s corner with 17 minutes remaining.

The Euro 2008 champions, who defeated Germany 1-0 in the final of that competition, should have scored a second after striking with the sort of counter-attack that had been a trademark of their opponents’ play in this competition, but Pedro failed to pick out a completely unmarked Fernando Torres.

Germany had invited pressure by adopting an increasingly deep defensive line as the match wore on – and may regret not taking the game to their opponents more while it remained goalless.

Joachim Loew’s team scored four against both England and Argentina in their previous games and had illuminated the competition with their bold play.

But they had few opportunities to strike on the counter against Spain and so Germany taste defeat at the semi-final stage for the second successive World Cup.

Spain coach Del Bosque chose Wednesday’s tie to drop the out-of-form Torres, drafting in Barcelona’s lively young forward Pedro and deploying David Villa as a lone striker.

And while Del Bosque’s team certainly looked comfortable as they worked the ball around midfield, Germany showed excellent shape and discipline, and were rarely dragged out of position.

Spain did occasionally pick holes in the German defensive structure, with Pedro playing in Villa only for keeper Manuel Neuer to deny him after only five minutes.

Puyol headed over from a firm Andres Iniesta cross, wasting an excellent chance, while a raking cross-field pass from Xabi Alonso found Sergio Ramos in space, only for the Real Madrid full-back to drill his ambitious shot wide.

Germany did not have the opportunity to launch a counter attack until the 22nd minute, but that broke down after a miscommunication between Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski.

Loew’s team looked increasingly threatening as the half wore on and had what initially appeared to be a strong penalty appeal in injury-time, after Ozil went down under a clumsy challenge from Ramos.

Ozil was certainly in a very threatening position after collecting a pass from Miroslav Klose and looked to be fouled, but replays suggested the initial contact had been made outside the area.

The start of the second half was a repeat of the first in that Spain passed and probed – but this time they started to seriously threaten Neuer’s goal.

Alonso twice shot wide from distance, as did Villa with a low effort he tried to curl across goal, but the impressive Pedro did force a sharp save from Neuer.

Germany were dropping ever deeper and would have fallen behind but for two near misses. The first saw Villa come within inches of converting a low Iniesta cross, while Ramos was likewise agonisingly close to converting from Alonso’s angled pass.

Loew brought on Marcell Jansen and Toni Kroos for Jerome Boateng and Trochowski as he tried to change the game in his team’s favour.

And Kroos forced a save after a deep cross from Podolski, but shortly afterwards Puyol struck and Spain were able to close out the match to seal their place in the final and ensure that the World Cup will have a first-time winner in 2010.

Klose nears record as Spain prepare for biggest test

Miroslav Klose spent most of last season warming the bench at Bayern Munich – but here in South Africa he has been of crucial importance to Germany for the third World Cup in succession.

His brace against Argentina on Saturday took him to four goals in the current tournament and 14 overall, level with compatriot Gerd Muller and one behind Brazil’s Ronaldo.

The 32-year-old is now just a good day at the office away from becoming the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer.

In an attempt to put this into perspective, the Polish-born Klose recently recalled a conversation he had with Ronaldo after the 2002 tournament.

The Brazilian had just whacked in eight goals, including a brace in the 2-0 win over Germany in the final – and Klose remembers thinking that he would never scale such heady heights.

“Two goals to go past his record – it is just crazy,” said Klose after the 4-0 victory over Diego Maradona’s team set up Wednesday’s semi-final tie against Spain in Durban.

I suspect many people would agree with him.

He scored five goals at both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, with the latter tally enough to secure the coveted Fifa Golden Shoe Award.

But the cynics might suggest that three of his goals in 2002 came in an 8-0 turkey-shoot against Saudi Arabia.

All of his goals in 2002 were headers, while in 2006 he scored twice against both Costa Rica and Ecuador – a record which suggests a one-dimensional forward who scores the bulk of his goals against weaker opposition.

His domestic career – all of which has been spent in Germany – has been a mixed bag. Last season, for example, he managed just three Bundesliga goals for Bayern.

Certainly, in terms of reputation and profile, Klose would be some way down the list of leading strikers to have played at the World Cup since he made his tournament debut in 2002.

Consider the competition at the start of the tournament in South Africa. Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Kaka arrived as arguably the big five (although Spain’s David Villa might have something to say about that) but went home having mustered two goals between them.

Klose, by contrast, might have seen red in the defeat against Serbia but is in excellent goalscoring form despite seeing Ivica Olic and Mario Gomez picked ahead of him virtually all season at Bayern.

Take, for example, Klose’s first goal in the 4-1 thrashing of England. He showed the strength and persistence to shake off John Terry and Matthew Upson and the instincts of a true goal poacher to expertly steer a long clearance from Manuel Neuer beyond David James.

It showed that there is so much more to his game than his fabulous heading ability.

“Since 2002 he has always been a top performer in the major tournaments, always great for the national team, scoring decisive goals,” German coach Joachim Loew told me as he spoke to the media on Tuesday (just for the record, he arrived four minutes early).

“When it counts, Miroslav is there. It is not a surprise to me that he is scoring goals.”

He is the type of player who responds to encouragement from those around him, particularly the coach. Perhaps that is why Klose thrives under Loew but struggled last season under Bayern boss Louis van Gaal, who has a more removed management style.

“Miroslav is fantastic in various ways,” added Loew. “He integrates well with our style of play and is excellent at assessing his own performance.

“He knew when he joined the squad that he had not played as much as the other players and he knew that he had to train harder.”

In a recent interview with German newspaper Bild, Klose explained that he had put himself through a strenuous personal fitness routine towards the end of last season. As a consequence, he lost weight and felt in better shape than he had for a long time.

The 2002 World Cup runner-up, who won his 100th cap against Argentina, also recently stated that personal scoring records are inconsequential: leaving South Africa with the trophy is what matters.

To have a chance to do that his side must defeat Spain on Wednesday in what will be a rematch of the Euro 2008 final.

The Spaniards deservedly won 1-0 in Vienna, with Fernando Torres scoring in the first half.

Much has changed since then, not least the loss of form by Torres after an injury-troubled season at Liverpool, as well as the emergence of a new generation of German talent.

Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller (who is suspended on Wednesday) and Sami Khedira have all enjoyed excellent tournaments. Khedira, a replacement for the injured Michael Ballack, is the oldest of the trio at 23.

The vibrancy, vim and vivacity that they have brought to the tournament has been well documented and should ensure that Wednesday’s encounter is very different to their meeting two years ago.

“Germany are better than at Euro 2008, they have got stronger and we know it will be tough,” Spain’s Pepe Reina told me.

“As well as their attacking ability, their defending has been really good and tactically they are well organised. They have skilful players with a lot of pace and they have been the best team so far in the tournament.”

Germany should have the self-belief built after scoring four goals in three separate matches and demolishing England and Argentina in the knockout stage.

Torres, meanwhile, has yet to score for Spain and Cesc Fabregas, so influential after coming off the bench against Paraguay, is not certain to play after sustaining a leg injury in training.

I thought Paraguay very effectively neutralised Spain’s quick, accurate passing game during their tight quarter-final meeting in Johannesburg.

Spain, who like Germany have already tasted defeat in Durban, have scored seven in five games (in contrast to Germany’s 13) and just once have won by more than a one-goal margin, against Honduras in the group stage.

But as they pursue their dream of reaching the World Cup final for the first time, Reina is adamant that his side possess the tools to end Klose and Germany’s World Cup dream.

“We have seen all of Germany’s games – we knew that we could face them in the semi-final and, God bless us, we have to be ready for the battle,” added the Liverpool keeper.

“We have to keep our philosophy that brought us here and continue to trust in our ability.”

Everywhere in Durban there are signs telling us that it is the “warmest place to be” during the World Cup.

Hopefully it will be red-hot on Wednesday.

Argentina 0-4 Germany

Germany tore Argentina apart to book their place in the semi-finals and, for now at least, end Diego Maradona’s dream of winning the World Cup as coach to go with his victory as captain in 1986.

Inspired by Bastian Schweinsteiger and two-goal hero Miroslav Klose, Joachim Loew’s side scored four times for the third game at this tournament in what was a devastating attacking display.

Klose found the net only three times in the Bundesliga all season in a miserable campaign for Bayern Munich but he has now beaten that tally at this tournament, as well as moving to within a goal of Ronaldo, who with 15 goals, is the all-time highest scorer at World Cup finals.

After Thomas Mueller’s early header, Germany coped with everything Argentina could throw at them before finishing off Maradona’s men with a lethal late burst.

Following Brazil’s self-destruction against the Dutch on Friday, Germany became the latest European team to see off a highly fancied South American side, and they move into the last four looking in good shape to become world champions for the first time since 1990.

At times this win was reminiscent of the way Germany had ripped through England’s backline in the second round a week ago, with Argentina caught out by their speed and incisiveness on the counter-attack as they chased the game.

The only cloud on Germany’s horizon is that the impressive Mueller picked up a booking that means he will miss the last-four clash with Paraguay or Spain, but Loew still has much to savour from this match.

Mueller opened the scoring after only three minutes when Schweinsteiger swung in a free-kick from the left and he escaped the Argentina defence to beat Sergio Romero with a downward header that the keeper got a leg to but could not keep out.

Klose, who also won his 100th cap for Germany, should have made it 2-0 when Mueller broke into the area down the right and squared for him in front of goal. But he fired wastefully over, not that it appeared to matter much at that point.

With Lionel Messi finding it difficult to impose himself on the game thanks to the close attention of Schweinsteiger, Argentina’s response was largely limited to shots from distance.

They did improve as half-time approached and Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain both forced Manuel Neuer into low saves, but Germany continued to threaten on the break.

Only after the interval did Argentina manage a spell of sustained pressure, and they threatened almost immediately when Di Maria let fly from outside the box and saw the ball fizz narrowly wide.

For a good 20 minutes, Maradona’s men dominated possession and Carlos Tevez had a shot blocked superbly blocked by Per Mertesacker while Germany keeper Neuer was kept busy as shots peppered his goal.

But, after wave after wave of Argentina attacks had been frustrated, Loew’s side hit back with a lethal sucker-punch to seal victory with two near-identical goals in quick succession.

First, Podolski burst into the box down the left and squared to give Klose the easiest of tap-ins to make it 2-0, with the striker walking the ball over the line.

Then, with Argentina still rocking, Schweinsteiger weaved his way down the same flank and crossed for Arne Freidrich to bundle the ball in at the near post.

The game was up for the South American side, and neither the jaded Messi on the pitch nor Maradona off it could lift them for any sort of belated response.

Fittingly, the final word went to Klose, who volleyed home Germany’s fourth from Mesut Oezil’s cross in the last minute – his 14th World Cup goal – after the imperious Schweinsteiger had brought the ball forward again.