Argentina no match for powerful Germany

Germany continued their impressive run at the 2010 World Cup by smashing an overmatched Argentina 4-0 Saturday to advance to the semifinals.  If anyone knows anything about the Germans is you better defend the set pieces.  It took Germany less than 3 minutes to cash in on a freekick.  A perfect swerving freekick found Thomas Muller on the near post where is deft flick of a header sent the ball into the net. 

Germany had their lead and the mood of the day was set early on.  The German defense was organized and resolute.  Players filled every crack and Argentina looked at a loss as to how to break them down.  It was a wonderful defensive effort all afternoon long and as Argentina became more desparate the Germans went the other way and picked apart the weakened defense.

The second half was a work of art as Germany notched three goals against Maradona's shellshocked troops.  In the 68th minute, Lukas Podolski crossed the ball from just beyond the box, and Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero and defender Nicolas Burdisso were powerless to stop it as it sliced between them.  Miroslav Klose got control of the ball in front of the goal and effortlessly tapped it into the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.

It was just the beginning as Germany would add two more before the referee ended the carnage.  Friedrich would roll one in from close range in the 74th and then Klose would score again just before the end.  It was Klose's 14th career World Cup goal tying him with German great Gerd Mueller for second place on the all-time list. Brazil's Ronaldo holds the World Cup record with 15 goals.

Germany now awaits the winner of the Spain-Paraguay game this afternoon as Europe looks to take all three of the quarterfinal clashes with South American opponents.