Germany master penalties to beat Argentina to semi-final spot

Germany beat Argentina 4-2 on penalties to book a place in the Fifa World Cup semi-finals in Berlin, Friday.

The match had drawn 1-1 without many clear chances for either side due to defensive play on both sides. First it was Germany who were unable to be positive as Argentina dominated play with 65 per cent of ball possession.

Until their goal Argentina controlled the game.

Four minutes after half-time Roberto Ayala got across Miroslav Klose to meet Juan Riquelme's corner which he powered between Jens Lehmann and his near post guard, Philipp Lahm.

The goal early in the second period made for a more exciting match which had been mostly uneventful in a first half during which neither side could muster more than a single shot. However; good scoring chances where hard to come by.

Juergen Klinsmann may be credited with a substitution change that partially helped Germany get an equalising goal. The fast David Odonkor troubled Juan Sorin and the Argentine left flank and allowed Germany to press forward nearer to the opposition penalty area.

Argentine manager may also have made a tactical mistake and suffered form a moment of bad fortune. In the minutes before Germany equalised from Ballack's wonderful left field cross his goalkeeper had to be stretchered off with a muscle injury.

Jose Pekerman followed his keeper's substitutions with two defensive ones; taking off creative midfield playmaker Riquelme and forward Hernan Crespo. The gifts of Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola were left on the bench while Julio Cruz, a long ball-holding forward, was brought on to partner Carlos Tevez.

The bad luck and changes seemed to put Germany in charge of the tactical game for the first time in the match.

A minute after Cruz arrived Pekerman might have regretted his decision. Klose's fifth World Cup goal ten minutes from time put him at the top of the Fifa Golden Boot leader board as the tournament's highest goalscorer. He beat his marker to dip and head beyond Leonardo Franco after Tim Borowski, a substitution on 74 minutes, had flicked on a Ballack cross.

The game finished 1-1 and the two halves of extra time mirrored the match; first half uneventful, the second half more attacking. Fabricio Coloccini came closest to breaking the deadlock when he hit the crossbar from 45 yards trying to catch Lehmann off his goal line.

Neither Germany or Argentina had lost in a World Cup penalty contest; both sides had won three. All the penalties hit the target and were well struck, except Ayala's who hit a soft effort which Lehmann saved to his left. Cambiasso's effort to Lehmann's left was better struck but the keeper had guessed the right side to dive to break Argentine hearts.

Post shootout melee

FIFA launched an investigation into an on-field melee which began after the penalties had been decided in Germany's favour.

Punches and kicks were thrown in the tangle. Unused Argentine substitute Leandro Cufre assaulted German Per Mertesacker and was presented the red card by Lubos Michel.

According to the German captain Michael Ballack the conflict originated when Argentine players shouted at the German team during the shootout. When Tim Borowski got Germany's fourth penalty he made a sign to the Argentine players to be quiet.

After the penalty kicks Argentine players approached Borowski and a scuffle of mostly pushing began that involved dozens of players, referees, coaches and substitutes.

FIFA said television pictures would be looked at and fines or sanctions would be considered if appropriate.

Quarter-finals

Match 57

Attendance: 72'000

Penalties

NotesResultNotesResultNeuvilleHard to leftCruzHigh to rightBallackHard to rightAyalaSaved low leftXPodolskiHard low leftRodriguezStutter, low rightBorowskiLow to leftCambiassoSaved low leftXTotal4Total2

Notes are from the goalkeeper's view.

Formations

Germany

Right wingRightCenterLeft Left wing Jens Lehmann (GK)Arne Friedrich 114'Per MertesackerChristoph MetzelderPhilipp LahmBernd SchneiderTorsten Frings Michael Ballack (C)Bastien Schweinsteiger Miroslav Klose Lukas Podolski 3'

Substitutes

62' David Odonkor 94' for Schneider

74' Tim Borowski for Schweinsteiger

86' Oliver Neuville for Klose

Coach: Juergen Klinsmann

denotes one goal scored.

Argentina

Right wingRightCenterLeft Left wingRoberto Abbondanzieri (GK)Gabriel Heinze Fabricio ColocciniRoberto Ayala Juan Sorin (C) 46'Luis GonzalezJavier Mascherano 60'Maxi Rodriguez 88'Juan RiquelmeHernan CrespoCarlos Tevez

Substitutes

71' Leonardo Franco (GK) for Abbondanzieri

72' Esteban Cambiasso for Riquelme

79' Julio Cruz 95' for Crespo

unused Leandro Cufre 120'

Coach: Jose Pekerman

denotes one goal scored.

Officials

Referee: Lubos Michel

Assistant referee: Roman Slysko

Assistant referee: Martin Balko

Fourth referee: Massimo Busacca

Fifth referee: Francesco Buragina