South Africa World Cup-Review of the Competition
Games results during two weeks
Argentina VS Germany
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Read our full match report on Germany’s latest four-goal haul here.
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Lionel Messi looks shell-shocked as Argentina head home. Don’t look back in anger, Lionel -
Argentina were completely blunted. They had no idea how to break down a solid Germany rearguard. They were outclassed.
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FULL TIME Germany with an emphatic victory. What a result, what a performance, hats off to Joachim Low, what an impressive team.
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Arne Friedrich joined Miroslav Klose on the scoresheet -
ONE MINUTE ADDED TIME
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GOAL Miroslav Klose with another! Germany breaking at will now. Ozil clips a delightful ball into Klose who simple side foots it home. He’s now level with Gerd Muller on World Cup goals. One behind Ronaldo… -
Germany have defended so solidly. Argentina haven’t created a single clear cut opportunity. Low’s men look like the team to beat in South Africa…
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Javier Pastore has at least looked interested since he came on. Cutting in from the left, he hits a woeful shot well wide.
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Muller has had a fantastic tournament. What a shame he’ll be out of the semi-final.
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Trochowski on for Thomas Muller -
Miroslav Klose taps the ball home for 2-0 -
Kroos with a fierce effort, Romero does well to make the save.
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Mascherano finally gets the yellow card he’s wanted since kick off. -
Have Argentina got anything left? They look entirely deflated.
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Toni Kroos on for Sami Khedira
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ESPN Stats & Info: Only Ronaldo (11) and Jurgen Klinsmann (10) have scored in more World Cup matches than Miroslav Klose (9).
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Miroslav Klose now has just two fewer World Cup goals than Ronaldo -
Sergio Aguero on for Angel Di Maria
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GOAL Friedrich with his first goal for Germany! Schweinsteiger took the corner short a danced through the defence. Fantastic football and he pulls the ball back to a greatful Friedrich to tap home!
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Argentina look out of it. Germany keeping the ball and cutting them open at will. They have another corner.
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Marcell Jansen on for Jerome Boateng
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Germany with another free kick, Mascherano felling Schweinsteiger.
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Argentina need a goal and soon. Pastore’s first involvement is to whip a dangerous ball across the German goal. No one there to get on the end of it though.
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Pastore on for Otamendi
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GOAL Klose with yet another World Cup goal! Muller threads through Lukas Podolski. He has Klose alone in the six-yard box left with a simple tap in.
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Manuel Neuer takes evasive action in the German goal -
Poor delivery, his cross hits the first man and is cleared.
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Otamendi concedes another free kick. How is he still on the pitch? Free kick Germany…
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Di Maria testing Germany again, cutting in from his wide right position and firing at Neuer. Again it’s straight at the Germany ‘keeper.
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ESPN Stats & Info: Germany have not conceded a second half goal in this World Cup.
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Last-ditch defending by Lahm! Messi’s effort is deflected into the path of Higuain, he looks certain to slot home before the Germany captain gets a vital toe on the ball.
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Lahm loses the ball, Tevez is 30 yards from goal. His effort is well struck, but Neuer holds onto it.
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Schweinsteiger’s effort is poor again, hit straight into the wall.
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Dangerous free kick for Germany. Otamendi loses the ball at the back, and responds by clattering Klose. Can Germany double their lead…
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ESPN Stats & Info: Prior to kick-off, Germany had scored four of their nine (44.4 %) goals this campaign between the 61st and 75th minute.
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The game is starting to get stretched. Messi is dispossessed and Podolski breaks down the left. He crosses the ball towards Klose, but the veteran forward gets nowhere near it.
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Diego Maradona shows Lukas Podolski how to do it -
Podolski’s effort hammers into the wall and through to Romero.
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Germany free kick. Could be dangerous…
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The corner is cleared, but Argentina come again. They’re giving Jerome Boateng a torrid time, Higuain the latest man to test him. He gets to the byline, cuts the ball back towards Tevez, Neuer gathers, spills the ball and Germany are lucky to clear!
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Both teams are struggling to settle in possession since the break, it’s fairly scrappy. Maxi Rodriguez chests a cross into the path of Tevez. He hits a full-blooded volley straight into Mertesacker’s face. Brave defending!
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Mascherano somehow stays out of the book. The Liverpool man lunges in studs first on Schweinsteiger, free kick but no card!
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Higuain called offside after a Demichelis clearance, free kick Argentina.
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Germany having their first forray forward since the break. Ozil unable to find a way past Demichelis.
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Di Maria with a thunderous strike! Bringing the ball onto his favoured left foot, he unleashes a piledriver that flashes just wide! Very unlucky.
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Bright start from Argentina. Heinze drills the ball into Maxi Rodriguez. A great touch to bring it down, his shot is closed down though.
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KICK OFF The second half begins.
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The teams are back out in Cape Town. Germany to get us restarted.
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Germany seem to be getting better and better as the tournament goes on. Impressive against England, explosive at the start here, are they en route to the semi-finals?
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Lionel Messi is desperate to get himself involved. At some point, surely he’ll have his say?
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It has been a frustrating first half for Lionel Messi and Argentina -
Comment from Joy Gupta in Cape Town: Germany began and ended brightly but Argentina bossed the middle. Messi has been good in parts but Germany seem to have cut of his supply line.
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ESPN Stats & Info: Argentina have never come back to win at the World Cup when trailing at half-time.
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HALF TIME You can’t help but be impressed by Germany. They have a deserved 1-0 lead thanks to Thomas Muller.
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Messi trying his upmost to get involved. He skips around Schweinsteiger, his shot is high, wide and not too handsome.
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ONE MINUTE ADDED TIME
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Argentina are starting to lose their cool here. They need a cool head in the dressing room. Over to you Diego…
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Romero punches clear excellently. Is it me or have corners been really poor in this competition?
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The next second Germany break, Lahm leaves Heinze behind and pulls back Muller. His shot deflects of Burdisso and for a corner.
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Argentina just started to press Germany now. Can Low’s men survive?
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Germany clear and quickly break. Podolski finds Ozil, who is tackled superbly by Mascherano, fantastic defending.
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The corner is played short, Neuer punches clear, but only to Di Maria. His shot clatters into Khedira, another corner.
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Di Maria runs at Boateng again, Podolski gets back and clears for a corner…
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Podolski with a snapshot, it’s well struck, just a yard or so wide.
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Argentina have the ball in the net, but four Argentina players are in offside positions. Messi’s free kick hit the wall, the ball played back through found Tevez, but the flag was raised.
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Messi over the free kick again…
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Muller booked for handball. It didn’t look like handball. It didn’t even hit his arm? He’ll miss the semi-final, should Germany get there.
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Smart play from Higuain. Inside the box, he twists and turns around Friedrich. His left foot effort, like Di Maria before him, is not the best.
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ESPN Stats & Info: Argentina have won all nine matches that they have played in 2010 so far.
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Argentina starting to find space. Tevez finds Di Maria. Running at Boateng Di Maria cuts inside, his low effort is poorly struck at straight at Neuer.
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A German fan gets into the swing of things -
Messi is effort is powerfully struck, too powerfully as it rises way over the bar.
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A soft free kick for Argentina. Tevez runs into Podolski, the referee award a free kick. Messi is over the ball…
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Messi is having to drop very deep to try and get involved. He lays the ball to Heinze, who has a very curious, and poor, effort at goal.
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The pace of the game has dropped slightly, it had to at some point! Argentina just looking for a sustained spell of possession.
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ESPN Stats & Info: The past two matches that Argentina have conceded first at the World Cup, they have not lost. They came back to win in the 2006 second round against Mexico and in the 2002 group stage came back to draw with Sweden.
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It should’ve been two! Muller is gifted possession, no one can catch him has he gets into the box. He square to Klose, whose left with a simple finish, but he lofts it over the bar.
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Germany look sharper than Argentina. Their constant pressing is completely stopping Argentina. Messi threads a beautiful ball to Tevez, Neuer out smartly to gather the ball.
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Thomas Muller celebrates his goal against Argentina -
Comment from Joy Gupta in Cape Town: Is it just me or is Messi playing unusually deep? His first touch was from near his own area, his second, now, was inside his own half….
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Mertesacker heads clear. Heinze’s ball in finds Otamendi in an offside position.
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Lovely football from Argentina. Otamendi released down the right, his cross is forced behind for a corner…
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Argentina looking to get their attacking talents into the game. They’ve been completely stifled so far.
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ESPN Stats & Info: Thomas Muller has been involved in seven goals at this World Cup (four goals, three assists), more than any other player.
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Mascherano lucky to escape the book! A cynical lunge on Schweinsteiger as Germany break.
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An incisive break from Argentina. Tevez plays a fantastic ball to Di Maria, he cuts in from the byline and finds Higuain in the box. His touch is heavy and Germany clear.
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Thomas Muller heads the ball past Sergio Romero -
Burdisso heads the corner away.
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The game seems to have settled down a little bit, thankfully for Argentina! As I type Ozil dances along the penalty box. The ball falls to Podolski, who’s shot is deflected for a corner. Ozil over the dead ball…
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Otamendi is the first in the book for a late challenge of Friedrich.
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You’ve been Merked: Angela Merkel enjoys Germany’s opening goal -
A dangerous corner is cleared by Tevez. Cue Messi. He bursts into the Germany half and finds Di Maria. The new galactico is hesitant and his attempted cross is cleared.
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German corner. What a start!
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Argentina look a team in shock! Maradona may not have been sure Muller was a player before the World Cup, he’s certainly aware of him now!
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ESPN Stats & Info: Germany have won 47 of 58 games at the World Cup when scoring the first goal of the match, Argentina have lost 17 of 25 when allowing first.
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What a start from Germany! Full of pace, energy and desire. Schweinsteiger lets fly from 25 yards, but is effort is wide.
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Comment from Joy Gupta in Cape Town: Well…Germany certainly were quicker off the blocks and it paid off for them.
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Almost a second! Khedira and Muller with an excellent one-two. The through ball just slightly over hit.
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GOAL Thomas Muller heads home the free kick! A fantastic delivery from Schweinsteiger, Muller glances towards goal, and Romero fumbles it into the net!
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Otamendi trips Schweinsteiger. First free kick for Germany…
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First foul of the game and it wasn’t a good one! A very clumsy challenge from Klose on Mascherano.
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KICK OFF Argentina get us started!
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Michael Ballack is present at the game in Cape Town -
ESPN Stats & Info: Germany have scored only four goals in their last six World Cup quarter final ties.
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Comment from Joy Gupta in Cape Town: This is the game I’m looking forward to the most. Argentina for obvious reasons but Germany have taken me by surprise. I suspect Argentina will be too strong, though, and Germany’s yellow cards will affect their play.
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The teams are out on the pitch, with Table Mountain in the background the scene is perfectly set for a fantastic game.
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ESPN Stats & Info: Argentina have won only four of their last 16 World Cup meetings with European sides.
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We have a few minutes before kick-off so why not take a read of Uli Hesse’s preview of the big game.
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Two of the tournament’s brightest players go head-to-head today. Mesut Ozil v Lionel Messi. Let’s hope they both bring their best form to Cape Town.
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A really tough one to call, two free-flowing, attacking teams. I can’t wait for this game.
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Read our full match report on this memorable encounter here.
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Spain striker David Villa celebrates his winning goal. -
ESPN’s John Brewin at Ellis Park: The Spanish players have run to congratulate Iker Casillas, leaving us in no doubt who they think the match-winner was. Oscar Cardozo’s tears show that the Paraguayans probably believe it too. Iniesta is the sponsors’ man of the match – a bad call. Spain v Germany then. Oooh.
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Cardozo is in tears for Paraguay, only Asamoah Gyan will know how he feels now.
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David Villa is once again the hero of the hour. He is the tournament’s leading goalscorer thanks to his fifth goal of the competition.
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FULL TIME Spain will face Germany in the semi-finals!
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Ramos is bandaged up, on his feet and back in play.
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Justo Villar of Paraguay saves the second penalty. -
Ramos is down after his head connects with Santana’s boot, no intent from the Paraguay man. This could be nasty for Ramos.
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THREE MINUTES ADDED TIME
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Spain break with the electric pace of Pedro, cutting inside he picks out Villa perfectly. His left foot shot is dragged into the arms of Villar.
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So close for Paraguay! Barrios away down the inside right, his smash at goal is fumbled by Casillas, but the Spain captain recovers to save from Santa Cruz on the rebound!
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Santana booked for an elbow to the head of Busquets. He can count himself lucky to only get a yellow.
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Have Paraguay got one chance in them? It’s been a poor match, but this result still seems a little harsh on Paraguay.
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ESPN’s John Brewin at Ellis Park: Thank Jesus, thank Allah, thank Buddha, merciful release. At last, we have a goal – though I am not sure how. Villa continues his status as man for the occasion. He can’t have meant to smash it off both posts but he has scored.
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Paraguay are starting to look leggy. Iniesta again bursting through. The ball breaks to Villa, who curls he 20 yard effort over the bar.
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Marchena on for Puyol
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Barrios on for Caceres
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GOAL David Villa scrambles the ball home! A fantastic run from Iniesta, slaloming through two defenders and laying the ball off to Pedro. His shot rebounds off the post to Villa, his efforts hits both posts before rolling over the line!
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This game seems to be drifting towards extra time. Unless some one can make themselves a hero…
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ESPN Stats & Info: Iker Casillas becomes the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in two different World Cups.
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ESPN Stats & Info: Roque Santa Cruz is now without a goal in 799 minutes at the World Cup. His last and only goal was eight years ago in the 2-2 draw with South Africa.
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Caceres wastes an opportunity to break. His ball looking for Santana is miles behind the wide man and runs out of play.
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A statement of intent from Del Bosque. Replacing one of his holding midfielders with the dangerous Pedro.
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Pedro on for Xabi Alonso
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Spain’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas saves a penalty. -
Villar with an unconvincing punch out for a throw in.
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Spain have another corner. Taken quickly to Iniesta, he dances to the byline, his cut back put behind for another corner.
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ESPN Stats & Info: The last time two penalties were saved in the same World Cup match was in 1930 in a match between Argentina and Mexico.
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Roque Santa Cruz on for Nelson Valdez
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Xavi’s free kick is a deep one, Villar tips it around the corner, but a goal kick is given.
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Morel booked for stopping Spain taking a quick free kick after Valdez brought down Busquets.
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First real passing move put together by Spain. Xavi finds Capdevila, with everyone waiting in the box, he cleverly pulls it back to Iniesta who blazes over. Better from Spain.
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After all the drama around the hour mark, both teams seem to be settling into the pattern of play from the first half. Please, no…
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The ball in doesn’t beat the first man. It’s fair to say neither side have made the most of their set pieces!
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Free kick to Paraguay, Puyol brings down Valdez. Can they trouble Casillas?
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ESPN’s John Brewin at Ellis Park: Excitement, I barely recognise you. But you are here. And that referee has just made a terrible hash of a third potential penalty.
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Enrique Vera on for Edgar Barreto
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Iniesta bends an effort towards Villar, but the hero of the hour is equal to it! A tale of two ‘keepers at the moment!
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ESPN’s John Brewin at Ellis Park: Oooh. Drama. Casillas had obviously been watching videos of the Japan game while Alonso has just choked in the style of Gyan.
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PENALTY SAVED BY VILLAR! Diving to his left Villar saves! What a choatic couple of minutes! High drama at Ellis Park!
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Alonso converts the penalty, but is forced to re take it!
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Alcaraz joins Pique in the book.
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PENALTY TO SPAIN! Mayhem! The ball pumped straight down the other end. Alcaraz hacks down David Villa, penalty Spain!
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ESPN’s John Brewin at Ellis Park: Good riddance to Torres, a player who has had as bad a tournament as any of Messi, Rooney and Ronaldo.
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SAVED BY CASILLAS! Diving low to his left, Casillas holds onto the ball. Poor penalty from Cardozo.
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Pique also carded.
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PENALTY Paraguay awarded a penalty for Pique tugging down Cardozo!
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A first corner of the game for Paraguay. Can they shock Spain?
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How do you solve a problem like Fernando? Del Bosque tried to let him play himself into form. It failed. Miserably.
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Cesc Fabregas on for Fernando Torres
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Fabregas is preparing to come on…
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ESPN Stats & Info: Since 1986, no team has advanced to the semi-finals without scoring a goal in either of their knockout stage matches.
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Capdevila is offside from the free kick. Please someone, score a goal…..
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Spain with a set piece. Alonso over the ball…
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Nothing is happening for Spain. With the likes of Silva and Fabregas on the bench, Del Bosque has to make a change.
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Morel is caught in possession, and to makes things worse allows the ball to fall to David Villa. He is forced wide and can only lash the ball out of play. Morel is a lucky boy.
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Torres attempting to burst through the Paraguay defence. As with everything he attempts at this World Cup, it doesn’t come off.
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The atmosphere seems flat at the stadium, this game is in desperate need of a goal.
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Valdez almost in, he makes an excellent run, but the through ball is over hit and arrives with Casillas.
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Spain looking to keep the ball at the start of the half, probing for a way through.
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KICK OFF Spain start the second half.
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ESPN Stats & Info: Spain completed none of their ten crosses from open play in the first-half and finished without a shot on target.
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ESPN’s John Brewin at Ellis Park: That was a non-event of a half. I cannot offer much more save to say that it can only get better. Please tell me it can.
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Spain defender Carles Puyol vies with Paraguay striker Nelson Valdez. -
ESPN Stats & Info: Paraguay are W1-L4-D4 and Spain are W7-L11-D7 all-time at the World Cup when level at half-time.
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HALF TIME Well I think we were all glad to hear the half time whistle. Surely it must improve in the second half?
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Valdez with a real chance for Paraguay! He does excellently to out pace Puyol, twisting the Barca man this way and that. His unleashes a shot which wild, and never troubling Casillas.
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ONE MINUTE ADDED TIME
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Both teams seem content to get to half time level. A really disappointing first period.
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ESPN Stats & Info: Spain have not had a single shot on target at this point in the match.
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David Villa takes on three Paraguay defenders. -
Valdez puts the ball in the net for Paraguay, but the flag is up! Cardozo offside as the ball is put into the box. A warning to Spain.
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Torres looks lost. He breaks blindly to the byline, but seems like a headless chicken as he lashes his cross into the stands.
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Again the corner is easily handled. Spain seem to struggle to impose themselves at set pieces.
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Ramos raiding down the right, his cross resulting in a corner to Spain…
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No clear cut chances to speak of so far. Surely one can’t be far away?
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ESPN’s John Brewin at Ellis Park: Paraguay have supplied the two best chances and both from long crosses. Torres meanwhile, seemed loathe to get on the end of a cross from the right. Still not at the races.
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A smart break from Paraguay. Valdez setting Morel away down the left. His deep cross is good, the diving Cardozo just unable to make contact.
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Iniesta is freed down the Spain right. His ball across is a decent one, just too long for Fernando Torres.
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The set piece is worked to Capdevila, his shot is deflected into the arms of Villar.
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Morel gives away another free kick, tripping Iniesta. Can Spain take advantage?
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Jonathan Santana and Xabi Alonso battle for the ball. -
Spain starting to take control, Paraguay as a result are starting to make some sloppy fouls.
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The ball finds its way to Xavi, who in one movement turns and flicks the ball up to unleash a dipping volley that narrowly clears the cross bar.
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Riveros brings down Villa. Spain have another free kick and take it quickly…
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The corner is cleared by Paraguay. The ball finds its way to Torres, who like Villa moments before gets to the byline. Instead of crossing, Torres tries to cut inside and is blocked off.
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First sight of David Villa, leaving Veron for dead and getting to the byline. His cross is turned behind for a corner.
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Paraguay defender Claudio Morel clears his lines. -
Paraguay defender Antolin Alcara has a shot. -
Spain putting together their first sustained spell of possession. Until Iniesta brings down Riveros that is.
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Spain have not been good in the opening twenty minutes. This game has not been good in the opening twenty minutes. It’s going perfectly for Paraguay.
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ESPN’s John Brewin at Ellis Park: Was that actually a chance? Not much doing here, I am afraid. The thrills may be in the post but look to have been left to Cape Town and Soccer City for the moment.
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A Paraguay free kick just inside the Spain half. The ball is swung in looking for Alcaraz, who can’t quite climb high enough to make contact with it.
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Iniesta is brought down and Spain take the free kick quickly. A little too quickly as the ball runs through to the Paraguay defence. Spain complain, but the referee is having none of it.
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Carles Puyol battles with Nelson Valdez. -
ESPN Stats & Info: These two sides have met on three previous occasions, with two of them ending in goalless draws and Spain winning the other.
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A really slow start from Spain, they seem lacklustre. This game needs a goal. I need a goal.
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Villar looking a little edge there. Sergio Ramos’ cross takes a deflection, and he doesn’t look entirely comfortable as he punches clear.
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The ball is lofting into the box and Puyol heads clear.
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Ramos brings down Cardozo and Paraguay have another free kick. Much further out though, I hope we don’t see another Morel effort on goal…
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Paraguay are seeing most of the ball early on. Spain haven’t got going yet.
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Morel is clearly a dilussional man. Striking the free kick at goal from fully 40 yards, it flies comfortably over. Horrible and pointless efort.
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Pique brings down Riveros to give Paraguay a free kick. A really spirited start from Paraguay.
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Riveros with a glimpse of goal. A whipped ball in from the right finds Riveros, but he can only guide his header wide.
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ESPN Stats & Info: David Villa has scored five of Spain’s last six goals at the World Cup. He assisted the other.
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Sloppy from Casillas. The Real Madrid ‘keeper took one touch too many and allowed Valdez to catch him. Luckily, the ball cannoned of Valdez and out for a goal kick.
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ESPN’s John Brewin at Ellis Park: A quietish stadium here. Spain happy to be patient and I fear Paraguay will play for 0-0. Another repeat of Loftus Pretoria could be the end of me.
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The corner is taken short to Alonso. He floats a lovely ball in which Ramos can only glance wide.
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First corner for Spain. Paraguay need to be careful here.
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Torres spins away and looks to run towards the box, until he stopped in his tracks by some strong defending.
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Paraguay have started well, attempting to push Spain back towards their own goal.
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Foul on Busquets, he’s clattered during an aerial challenge.
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Santana with the first shot of the game! Lovely lay off from Valdez, Santana is in the Spain box and drills a low shot to Casillas’ left, who’s down well to make a smart save. Lively start!
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KICK OFF Paraguay begin the last quarter-final.
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ESPN Stats & Info: Paraguay will be playing in their first-ever World Cup quarter-final tie.
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ESPN Stats & Info: Spain have never won a quarter-final tie at the World Cup, losing two of their four quarter-final ties on penalties including their most recent against South Korea.
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The teams are on the pitch, let’s hope this game is as eventful as today’s earlier contest.
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The one worry for Spain is the form of Fernando Torres. He’s been a shadow of the striker he is for Liverpool, can he find his feet on the big stage? If he can, Spain will have an excellent chance of progressing tonight.
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When most people think of Paraguay, they think of their legendary goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert. He was something of a set piece specialist, scoring 8 goals in his 74 caps. That’s one more than Emile Heskey has managed…
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For Spain, joining Argentina and Brazil in heading home at the quarter-final stage is simply not acceptable. This team has come to South Africa to win, and Paraguay will provide stiff opposition.
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Paraguay are venturing into the unknown tonight. Never before have they reached this stage of a World Cup, and they’ll have to put in a historic performance to overcome this much-fancied Spain side.
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Paraguay make a host of changes to their team that beat Japan on penalties. Their front three is completely changed, with Cardozo, Valdez and Santana coming in for Santa Cruz, Barrios and Benitez.
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Spain are unchanged following their victory over Portugal in the second round. That means the in-form David Villa is once again partnered with the out of sorts Fernando Torres up front.
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After watching Germany destroy Argentina earlier today, both Paraguay and Spain will know whoever wins this quarter-final match will have a tough test in the semi-finals.
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Unsuprisingly, after they both cruised through their second round matches, these two sides are unchanged. Meaning Lukas Podolski is deemed fit to play.
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We begin at the Green Point Stadium today, where two World Cup heavyweights collide. Argentina face Germany in what promises to be a closely-contested classic.
Games results during two weeks
Germany have sent out a real signal of intent with this latest victory. No team will relish the prospect of facing Die Mannschaft.