Red’s World Cup Daily Round Up 03/07/2010

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The hottest day of the World Cup and another shock: Germany kicked out Argentina. What on earth happened with Diego’s men? Why were they playing that bad? Where was the Argentina we all know? Why it ended with this result …?

Argentina – Germany 0:4

As Thomas Müller scored after only 3 minutes after the kick off it seemed to be to much of a shock. And the Germans dominated every single meter of the pitch. The Argentineans weren’t able to break through the Germany defence and the few – good, though – chances they had they missed.

Mascherano and clubmate Maxi Rodriguez both retained their places in Maradona’s starting XI, but even though they performed good, it wasn’t enough to help their side into the victory.

Gutted for Javier & Maxi. And hmmm … Germany may have won the match, but none of them got hugged by Diego Maradona!

And in the second match of the day we had some great entertainment – at least in the second half – as Paraguay were just unable to score and lost in an encounter with Spain.

Paraguay – Spain 0:1

Both team have written history as Paraguay has never before reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup and Spain has never reached the semis.

Fernando Torres helped to make history as he figured for 55 minutes in Johannesburg‎, though he was unable to break his tournament duck in a tense encounter. As expected, coach Vicente del Bosquekept faithwithTorres in attack for the Ellis Park clash, withPepe Reina on the bench, though the opening 45 minutes were somewhat subdued with chances at a premium for both teams.

La Furia Roja enjoyed more of the possession, but a determined Paraguay proved difficult to break down.

Paraguay were awarded a penalty within a minute of the Liverpool star leaving the field after Gerard Pique tugged down Cardozo at a corner, but his driven strike was well saved by Casillas. Incredibly, less than 60 seconds after the custodian’s stop, Spain had a spot kick of their own thanks to Antolin Alcaraz’s clumsy challenge on Villa.

Former Liverpool midfielder XabiAlonso was handed the responsibility, and though he netted his initial kick with aplomb, the referee offered the South Americans a reprieve by ordering a retake. The No.14’s second attempt was parried by Villar, who then brought down Fabregas as both players went for the loose ball to leave Spain claiming another penalty.

Their appeals were in vain, but the deadlock was finally broken with seven minutes remaining as David Villa settled the outcome and ensure the Spaniards reached their first ever World Cup semi-final.

Germany will now play Spain on Wednesday, the 7th of July.

May the … Spaniards win!

-Amanda

amanda@empireofthekop.com

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