Germany crushed Argentina 4-0 at quarter final

Germany crushed Argentina 4-0 with a sparkling display of attacking football on Saturday to book their spot in the World Cup last four.

Germany, who outsmarted their lacklustre opponents, got off to a dream start when Thomas Mueller snatched his fourth goal of the tournament, heading in a curled Bastian Schweinsteiger free kick after just three minutes.

Miroslav Klose, making his 100th international appearance, doubled Germany’s lead in the 68th minute when Lukas Podolski out in a perfect pass from the left and the striker tapped in from close range.

Defender Arne Friedrich got a third with his first international goal in the 74th minute, finishing from a metre out after Bastian Schweinsteiger’s cross, before Klose completed the rout with his second in the 89th minute.

Dictating the pace early in the first half, Germany refused to fall back after their quick lead, pressing high in Argentina’s half and coming close to a second through Sami Khedira and Klose.

Germany, who beat Argentina on penalties at the same stage of the tournament in 2006, gradually allowed their opponents to come forward, and responding with lightning-quick counter-attacks.

The Argentines, with playmaker Lionel Messi often stifled by two or three defenders, tried desperately to level with long-range shots before Klose doubled the German lead.

Friedrich then added the third six minutes later, before Klose volleyed home a cross from Mesut Ozil for the fourth and his 14th World Cup goal, just one short of Ronaldo’s all time record.

Germany now play the winners of the other quarter-final between Spain and Paraguay later on Saturday.

(CAPE TOWN, July 3 (Reuters) )