<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>(Results:</em></strong><em> Argentina 0-4 Germany, Paraguay 0-1 Spain</em><strong><em>)</em></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Who would have thought that out of four South American teams would make it to the quarter-finals, only one of them would go on to reach the semifinals, and that team would be Uruguay? After Brazil were knocked out by Holland, it was the turn of their bitter rivals Argentina to taste humble-pie at the hands of the irresistible Germans. The day also saw Spain being rescued by their favourite son, again. Here are the notable moments of the day..</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>The Thomas Muller Act of the day</strong></span></em></p> [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Already a star!"]<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/sports-news-july-2010/image/9281221?term=argentina+germany" target="_blank"><img title="Sports News - July 03, 2010" src="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9281221/sports-news-july-2010/sports-news-july-2010.jpg?size=500&imageId=9281221" border="0" alt="July 03, 2010 - 06122776 date 03 07 2010 Copyright imago BPI Thomas Muller of Germany Celebrates Scoring The Opening Goal Against Argentina PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxFRAxNEDxESPxSWExPOLxCHNxJPN men Football World Cup ger DFB National team international match Quarter-finals Cape Town Action shot Single Vdig xsk 2010 horizontal Highlight premiumd Football." width="500" height="333" /></a>[/caption] <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Thomas Muller</strong>'s heroics against England had hardly been forgotten, but he decided to cement his hero status. He took the field against Argentina to give his team a perfect start by scoring inside the opening three minutes, but was also booked later for an innocuous looking challenge which resulted in his suspension from the semi-final. But that did not deter him, as a grounded Muller delivered a perfect ball to Podolski, who laid it in the path of Klose, to send Germany 2-0 ahead. <em>The Thomas Muller Show</em> will be put on hold, when Germany face the mighty Spain. The question is how much will he be missed?</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em> </em><strong><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em>German Toughie of the day</em></span></span></strong></p> [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Mertesacker - a tough, no-nonsense defender."]<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/argentina-sergio-aguero/image/9280411?term=mertesacker" target="_blank"><img title="Argentina's Sergio Aguero fights for the ball with Germany's Per Mertesacker during their 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match at Green Point stadium in Cape Town" src="http://view2.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9280411/argentina-sergio-aguero/argentina-sergio-aguero.jpg?size=500&imageId=9280411" border="0" alt="Argentina's Sergio Aguero fights for the ball with Germany's Per Mertesacker (L) during their 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match at Green Point stadium in Cape Town July 3, 2010. REUTERS/Carlos Barria (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)" width="500" height="354" /></a>[/caption] <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Per Mertesacker (Germany)</strong>, the Werder Bremen defender, made many crucial interceptions and was rock-solid in defense, but that's not why he has found a mention here. He took a Carlos Tevez goal-bound thunderbolt to his face from point-blank range, without flinching for a bit. Instead, there were a few <em>high-fives </em>in the German ranks and the order resumed. That's toughness!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><em> </em><strong><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em>Best Schooling of the day</em></span></span></strong></p> [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350" caption="When efficiency and discipline meets flair, creativity and exuberance.. "]<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/argentina-germany/image/9281187?term=argentina+germany" target="_blank"><img class=" " style="border: 0px initial initial;" title="Argentina vs Germany" src="http://view1.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9281187/argentina-germany/argentina-germany.jpg?size=500&imageId=9281187" border="0" alt="July 03, 2010 - Cape Town, South Africa - epa02235345 Germany players celebrate with Arne Friedrich (2nd R) after his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2010 quarter final match between Argentina and Germany at the Green Point stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, 03 July 2010." width="350" height="316" /></a>[/caption] <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The <strong>German School of Humiliation </strong>taught Argentina, and Diego Maradona, a real lesson in football. It had done the same to England. If only the South Americans had attended that class! The team that was hyped to be god-sent to teach the footballing world a lesson in football, was brought crashing back to reality. The young German team exploited their weak defense not once, not twice, but four times to dump Diego Maradona's men out of World Cup'10.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In what will eventually be regarded as a German masterclass, the three-times world champions tore Argentina's title ambitions to shreds, in a match which was being portrayed as a perfect setting for the South Americans to avenge their loss in Germany'06. Out of the four goals scored by Die Mannschaft, the one which saw Mesut Ozil effortlessly scoop the ball over two defenders to set-up Klose, was the best goal of the game. Tonight, there were glimpses of the Germany we have come to know of - efficient, tactical and disciplined. Add one more - devastating.</p> <em> <strong><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em> Player of the day</em></span></span></strong></em> [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="What a performance!"]<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/argentina-germany/image/9281547?term=argentina+germany" target="_blank"><img class=" " style="border: 0px initial initial;" title="Argentina vs Germany" src="http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9281547/argentina-germany/argentina-germany.jpg?size=500&imageId=9281547" border="0" alt="July 03, 2010 - Cape Town, South Africa - epa02235450 Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates after the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and Germany at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa 03 July 2010." width="400" height="274" /></a>[/caption] <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)</strong> is slowly establishing himself as one of the top midfielders in the world. Though in the absence of Michael Ballack, it has been Khedira who has effortlessly stepped into his present shoes, but it is Schweinstiger who has been emulating the Ballack of old, in this tournament. He has been like a general who marshals his troops, controls the midfield play and provides support to the young soldiers.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Against Argentina, he delivered a monumental performance. He pulled all the strings from midfield, out-classed his counterparts and even assisted in two of Germany's four goals.</p> <strong><em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> Flop of the day</span></em></strong> [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Messi - Could he have done something more?"]<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/football-germany-argentina/image/9281142?term=argentina+germany" target="_blank"><img title="Football - Germany v Argentina FIFA World Cup Quarter Final" src="http://view3.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9281142/football-germany-argentina/football-germany-argentina.jpg?size=500&imageId=9281142" border="0" alt="July 03, 2010 - South Africa - Football - Germany v Argentina FIFA World Cup Quarter Final - South Africa 2010 - Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa - 3/7/10..Argentina's Lionel Messi looks dejected during the match." width="500" height="306" /></a>[/caption] <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #000000;">It's not been a tournament for <em>superstars</em>. After Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Ribery, it was the turn of the <em>World Footballer of the Year </em>himself to disappoint. <strong>Lionel Messi</strong> hadn't managed to score a goal in this World Cup before the encounter with Germany, and that didn't change; what changed was his influence on the game, as even the great <em>Messiah</em> failed to create much for his team-mates or inspire them to get back in the game. </span></span></p> <em> <strong><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"> </span></span></strong></em><strong><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em>Comedy of the day</em></span></span></strong> [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Not one, not two, not three, but FOUR!"]<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/football-germany-argentina/image/9279964?term=higuain" target="_blank"><img title="Football - Germany v Argentina FIFA World Cup Quarter Final" src="http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9279964/football-germany-argentina/football-germany-argentina.jpg?size=500&imageId=9279964" border="0" alt="July 03, 2010 - South Africa - Football - Germany v Argentina FIFA World Cup Quarter Final - South Africa 2010 - Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa - 3/7/10..Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain (R) scores a goal which is later disallowed for offside." width="500" height="285" /></a>[/caption] <p style="text-align: justify;">Argentina scored the equalizer through Gonzalo Higuain in the first half, but to the striker's dismay, the goal was ruled off-side. The replays unveiled that <strong>at least four Argentineans were in an off-side position</strong>, when Gabriel Heinze played the ball.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> Most dramatic sequence of the day</span></em></strong></p> [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Loading part 1 of 3..."]<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/sports/africa-casillas/image/9283068?term=paraguay+spain" target="_blank"><img title="AFRICA WC CASILLAS" src="http://view1.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9283068/africa-casillas/africa-casillas.jpg?size=500&imageId=9283068" border="0" alt="SOCCER/FUTBOL WORLD CUP 2010 CUARTOS DE FINAL PARAGUAY VS ESPANA Action photo of Iker Casillas of Spain, during game of the 2010 World Cup held at the Ellis Park Stadium of Johannesburg, South Africa./Foto de accion de Iker Casillas de Espana, durante juego de la Copa del Mundo 2010 celebrado en el Ellis Park Stadium de Johanessburgo, Sudafrica. 03 July 2010 MEXSPORT/JORGE REYES Photo via Newscom" width="500" height="333" /></a>[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="No, it wasn't a dive."]<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/paraguay-goalkeeper-justo/image/9283042?term=paraguay+spain" target="_blank"><img title="Paraguay's goalkeeper Justo Villar attempts to catch the ball after a penalty kick by Spain's Xabi Alonso in Johannesburg" src="http://view2.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9283042/paraguay-goalkeeper-justo/paraguay-goalkeeper-justo.jpg?size=500&imageId=9283042" border="0" alt="Paraguay's goalkeeper Justo Villar attempts to catch the ball after a penalty kick by Spain's Xabi Alonso during their 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg July 3, 2010. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)" width="500" height="341" /></a>[/caption] <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Three penalties, one incorrect penalty decision, two penalty saves and a goal-line clearance.</strong> What a dream sequence, eh? Football supporters across the world witnessed one of the most bizarre minutes in World Cup history.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">It all started when Oscar Cardozo went down in the box after Pique clung onto his hand, and the referee rightly pointed to the spot. The penalty was wonderfully saved by Spanish skipper Iker Casillas. In the very next attack, a Spanish counter-attack was brought to an abrupt end when David Villa was felled - penalty to Spain!</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Alonso converted the spot-kick, but to his chagrin, the referee ruled out the goal, as he had spotted a Spanish encroachment in the box, before the penalty was taken. The Real Madrid man had to retake the spot-kick, but this time the Paraguay keeper Villar denied him. The drama didn't stop there! As Villar went to save the rebound, he fouled Fabregas but the referee did not spot this, and the incoming shot from another Spaniard was saved on the goal-line. Somehow, it stayed 0-0 !</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><em><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></em></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> Saviour(s) of the day</span></em></strong></p> [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Villa, you beauty!"]<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/south-africa-johannesburg/image/9283685?term=paraguay+spain" target="_blank"><img title="SOUTH AFRICA-JOHANNESBURG-2010 FIFA WORLD CUP-PARAGUAY VS SPAIN" src="http://view2.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9283685/south-africa-johannesburg/south-africa-johannesburg.jpg?size=500&imageId=9283685" border="0" alt="JOHANNESBURG, July 4, 2010 David Villa of Spain celebrates his goal during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match between Paraguay and Spain at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 3, 2010.Spain won 1-0 and is qualified for the semi-finals." width="500" height="344" /></a>[/caption] <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #000000;">When Cardozo stepped up to take the penalty, all the Spanish hearts had left their designated place and could now been seen pumping from their mouths. Then <strong>Iker Casillas (Spain) </strong>stepped up to deny him and keep his team in the competition. That was not his last contribution in the game, as his services were further required to deny the Paraguayans. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #000000;">A Spanish victory is not complete or, on a few occasions, not possible, until <strong>David Villa (Spain)</strong> scores. There was nervousness written all across the faces of Spanish supporter, as they feared for the worst - Spain choking in another World Cup. Step-up Monsieur David Villa! Scoring the only goal of the match in the 82nd minute, he once again bailed Spain out of a sticky situation. He now has five goals in South Africa'10 and is the front-runner for the <em>golden boot.</em> </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em><span style="color: #ff0000;"> South American resolve of the day</span></em></strong></p> [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Paraguay - a tough nut to crack!"]<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/paraguay-national-soccer/image/9282395?term=paraguay+spain" target="_blank"><img title="Paraguay's national soccer players huddle before kick off during a 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match against Spain in Johannesburg" src="http://view3.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9282395/paraguay-national-soccer/paraguay-national-soccer.jpg?size=500&imageId=9282395" border="0" alt="Paraguay's national soccer players huddle before kick off during a 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match against Spain at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg July 3, 2010. REUTERS/David Gray (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)" width="500" height="324" /></a>[/caption] <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">The last quarter-final between Paraguay and Spain was being considered as a mere formality by the so-called geniuses of the world, but the South Americans had other ideas. They turned the <em>one-sided </em>affair on its head and took their more illustrious opponents for a ride so tough that it took the <em>Furia Roja </em>more than eighty minutes to break them down. <strong>Paraguay</strong> may have lost the match, but won a lot of respect.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"><em>Exposed Personality of the day</em></span></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #000000;">It had all been plain sailing for <strong>Diego Maradona (Argentina)</strong> before they faced Germany. Argentina had never trailed in a match, and Diego's managerial skills had hardly been tested. However, Germany changed the scenario completely and Argentina found themselves in unknown waters. They trailed after three minutes in the quarter-final, and ended up getting hammered.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><span style="color: #000000;">------------------------------------------------------</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/paraguay-national-soccer/image/9282395?term=paraguay+spain" target="_blank"> </a></p>