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Germany 1 Argentina 1
Germany v Argentina Odds
01/07/2006: Jens Lehmann was the hero after saving penalties from Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso after extra time in Berlin.
The Arsenal star guessed the right way on both occasions to send Argentina crashing out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage.
Lehmann was beaten for the game's opening goal when Ayala headed home Riquelme's corner when the German defence went missing on 49 minutes.
But Germany stuck to their task and grabbed an equaliser ten minutes from normal time through Miroslav Klose.
The striker nodded past substitute goalkeeper Leo France after getting on the end of Tim Borowski's flick-on from Michael Ballack's cross.
Extra time could not separate the two sides and the game went to penalties, with Lehmann in imperious form to fully justify coach Jurgen Klinsmann's decision to install him as his number one ahead of former captain Oliver Kahn.
Oliver Neuville and Julio Cruz both got their sides off to the perfect start in the shoot-out but Ayala and Cambiasso could find no way past Lehmann who will be the toast of Germany tonight.
The game ended on a sour note when Argentina's disgruntled players were involved in an angry exchange with their opponents and punches appeared to be thrown by a number of them.
Pre-match report
The development of Germany and Argentina has meant that it is much more difficult to pick winner between the two sides than would have been the case before the World Cup started.
Although few would have given Germany a chance after Argentina's brilliant group stage performance against Serbia and Montenegro, which saw them beat the European side 6-0, the tide is now slowly turning.
Not only have the Germans grown in confidence as the tournament has progressed, they are of course on home soil, which has proved to be something of an advantage in the past.
Not only that, but Argentina may have peaked too soon. Although they topped the group, they did not look as convincing in their final group match against the Dutch and they only just made it through to the quarter finals, just managing to get the better of Mexico in the last 16.
Argentina drew that match 1-1 during the 90 minutes, in which Mexico more than held their own against the team that some had predicted would easily walk away with the world trophy.
It took a great goal from Maxi Rodriguez to see the South Americans through and it remains to be seen just how much the gruelling 120 minute encounter has taken out of them, both mentally and physically.
Germany had no such problems at the last 16 stage, dispatching Sweden relatively easily in a 2-0 win. Their reliance on the outstanding Chelsea new man Michael Ballack is still very much in evidence, however, and it will need a more complete team performance to overturn an Argentine side dripping with natural talent all over the park.
Although the Argenines may be tired, it only takes one of Lionel Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme or Hernan Crespo to have a good day at the office to put Germany under real pressure.
However, despite lots of pre-tournament criticism the German side's odds have shortened and they are now real contenders for the title in the eyes of many stores.
With striker Miroslav Klose in such good form, the Germans always have a chance of scoring and their defence has also looked much more secure since that 4-2 display in the World Cup's opening game against a poor Costa Rica side.
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Comments on: Germany 1 Argentina 1
28/06/2006: Argentina 2-1 Germany
28/06/2006: Ervin BanoNew York, USAI am a German fan, on the other hand I have been a soccer player myself enough to understand the pressure that is naturally in a match like this.I pretend to know German soccer somehow modestly better then the Germans themselves, based on my being a 32-year-old .This match is a match between arch rivals.I will say this time it could go either way.Klinsmann has already successfully implemented a new Netherlands in the German team, with the excellent athletic characteristics they always have had. The key to this match I believe it will be – primarily having the ball possession all the time. Being cautious, cold minded not to get nervous with fouls, and yellow cards. It will be a real battle.Argentina has in its solid group high technical individualist players, great character too who can resolve the game at any moment, Saviola, Crespo, riquelme Cambiasso and a great central defence with Ayala and a fresh Heinze.Germans do really need the experience of Robert Huth in defence. He knows Crespo very well.I hope the Germans win.
01/07/2006: all cheers to germans ...they truly deserve it..
20/07/2006: Hi Ervin!I think him as you.I want to tell that i know you.You have remained a fan of Germany.A regard from Aida - Italia
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