Germany 4 Argentina 0

Before this quarter-final fixture had time to settle, Germany took the lead. On three minutes, Bastian Schweinsteiger swept in a free-kick which was flicked into the net by Thomas Muller. Germany looked strong during the initial exchanges: whilst Argentina put together some neat moves they failed to work a clear opportunity. Angel Di Maria found himself in dangerous positions on a couple of occasions but could not deliver a meaningful end product. Germany made life difficult for Argentina’s key attacking players with Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira anchoring the midfield. The lead could have been doubled around the half-hour mark when Muller burst into the box and squared for Miroslav Klose, but he blazed over when he should probably have scored. Argentina’s best chance fell to Gonzalo Higuain after he turned inside Arne Friedrich, but his left foot shot was tame and it was saved at the near post by Manuel Neuer. Lionel Messi demonstrated his threat in sporadic bursts and almost played in Carlos Tevez, but Neuer was able to intervene. Argentina played a very attacking formation in the first-half, with Di Maria and Maxi Rodriguez advanced on the flanks either side of the Higuain/ Tevez/ Messi triumvirate. Germany also showed fluidity in advanced areas although Mesut Ozil saw little of the ball.

Argentina started the second-half well as they sought an equalizer. Di Maria put in a good cross from the right which was chested down by Rodriguez, but Tevez’s shot was blocked by Per Mertesacker. Gerrmany’s defending was resolute, and this was encapsulated by a Jerome Boateng challenge on Higuain as the Argentine forward broke into the German defensive third. The overall balance of play was consistent with the first-half as, whilst the Argentina players combined well, they didn’t carve out any clear goalscoring opportunities. Long-range efforts from Tevez and Di Maria were comfortably saved by Neuer. Slightly against the run of play, Germany doubled their lead on 67 minutes. Khedira managed to scoop the ball forwards and Podolski ran into the box to cross for Klose who had a simple finish. The Argentinean players seemed to lose a little heart after this second goal, and Germany accordingly increased their lead. Following a short corner, Schweinsteiger made an impressive (but unchallenged) run to the near post; his short pass to Friedrich gifted the German defender a simple goal. As full-time approach the score-line was further inflated by a smooth counterattack: Ozil crossed for Klose who scored his second with a controlled volley.

The final score may have flattered Germany slightly, as Argentina had the best of the game when they were a goal down. However, Germany certainly deserved to win, as they limited Argentina’s attacking game and were ruthless when contriving attacks of their own. I predict that Germany will win World Cup 2010: they have the organization to shut down opposition sides, and also sufficient flexibility and talent in advanced areas to win games. Argentina have performed well over World Cup 2010, but were outdone in this fixture. Perhaps the distinction between defence and attack was too substantial, with Maradona essentially fielding five attacking players, and five defensive players (with Mascherano sitting in front of the back four.) A creative midfielder, such as Juan Veron, may have provided an effective link between defence and attack.

And following another convincing display by Germany, does England’s second-round departure at their hands now look a little less disastrous?