Adiós Albicelestes as penalty kings Germany reign
Argentina bid ends in disappointment and disgrace
Azzurri do it for Pessotto
—— Germany’s mastery of the penalty shoot-out serves them well again as the hosts go through to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
The road ends in Berlin for favourites Argentina with their World Cup not only ending in disappointment but in disgrace after an ugly brawl breaks following the shoot-out.
The Albicelestes were in control after Roberto Ayala headed home a Juan Riquelme corner on 49 minutes.
They appeared to lose the initiative after the influential Riquelme was replaced and, with 10 minutes to go, Miroslav Klose strengthened his leading scorer tag when he headed in his fifth of the tournament.
With no goals in extra time, despite a 100% win record in three previous World Cup shoot-outs, Argentina were no match for Germany.
In clinical nerveless fashion, the Germans made it four-out-of-four in their World Cup shoot-outs.
Furthermore, you still have to back to 1982 to find the last time they missed a single shoot-out kick.
Having contributed so much to Germany 2006, amid violent scenes, Argentina take defeat badly as players and officials exchange punches with the victors.
Unused sub Leandro Cufre is shown a red card but it is expected that FIFA will take further action in due course.
Shortly afterwards, Argentina coach Jose Pekerman announces his resignation.
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann is in a rather happier frame of mind: “It’s difficult to find words. I’m incredibly happy, proud and thankful.
“The fantastic crowd carried us, they believed in us. We knew that even down a goal we’d come back.
“We were convinced that if we got to penalties we’d advance. The belief we have in ourselves is really strong.”
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—– Italy dedicate their 3-0 quarter-final win against Ukraine to Gianluca Pessotto - the Juventus sporting director and former midfielder who is gravely ill after falling from a window at Juve’s offices earlier in the week.
The Azzurri extend their unbeaten run to 23 games in Hamburg as outsiders Ukraine are soon in arrears via a sixth minute shot from Gianluca Zambrotta - a close friend of Pessotto.
Italy extend their lead through Luca Toni on the hour and this season’s leading scorer in Serie A seals the win when he converts Zambrotta’s 69th minute cross.
With the match-fixing scandal still dominating the news headlines in Italy, the Azzurri’s progress is coming as a welcome relief.
And match-winner Toni believes there’s more to come: “It will now be a very tough game against the Germans in the semi-final as they are at home and they have knocked out Argentina.
“But we played very well today and are ready to take them on.”
—– Meanwhile back in England, former Celtic and Scotland midfielder Paul Lambert is named the new manager of League Two Wycombe Wanderers.
The 36 year-old replaces fellow Scot John Gorman who left Adams Park last month.
Three days before the emergency general meeting called by major shareholder Michael Wilde, Rupert Lowe ends his ten-year reign as chairman of Southampton.
Sunderland chairman Bob Murray officially leaves the Stadium of Light after 20 years at the helm of the Wearside club. He resigned on 14 June but remained on the board while takeover negotiations with the consortium led by former player Niall Quinn continued.
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