Quarter-final 3: Germany 4-0 Argentina

Argentina came into this game having scored 10 goals in four matches against Germany's 9 but it was Germany who were quick out of the blocks with a goal after only three minutes, Mueller applying the headed flick past an unconvincing Romero courtesy of a Schweinsteiger cross. It was the quickest goal of World Cup 2010 and Germany's 200th world cup goal. German fans need not have worried that Argentina had a whole 87 minutes to respond as instead it proved a catalyst for a rampant German side to destroy Argentina in a fantastic display of football. Argentina with high expectations of avenging their quarter-final loss four years previously against the same opposition, were instead blown away.

The likes of Messi and Tevez found it difficult to get into the game, showing just the odd flash of what they are capable of. Germany on the other hand were composed and creative. The slick passing and movement of their whole front six was something to behold and Schweinsteiger, despite not getting on the scoresheet had his best performance thus far in what was probably a man of the match display.

Germany should have had their second goal mid-way through the first half as Mueller sprinted away down the right, beautifully squared to Klose, but he was wasteful, blasting over. Argentina threatened sporadically but any decent looking opportunity was thwarted by Neuer and when they did get the ball over the line they threw their arms up in frustration that it was ruled out for offside. Replays showed four Argentines were very much offside.

It took until half-way through the second half for Germany to get their second goal. Klose opened his account with a tap in after a sweeping move that cast the Argentine defence adrift. The third came only six minutes after when Schweinsteiger embarked on a brilliant solo run, setting up Friedrich for an easy goal - only his first in 77 internationals. Germany completed the rout with a fourth seconds before the end, Oezil's measured cross nicely finished by Klose.

Argentina had been reduced to purely long range shooting in the second half, their defence throughout had been completely shown up in their first real test of the World Cup. Germany won their second consecutive game with four goals and were ultimately completely superior in this game. The only negative for them was a yellow card for Mueller ruling him out of the semi-final. Maradona cut a forlorn figure on the sidelines.