Argentina takes on Germany in a high-profile quarter final showdown on 3 July 2010 at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town. With both sides having excellent attacking prowess and comparatively weak defense, it could be a high scoring affair.
Time
The match kicks off at 14:00 GMT and 16:00 local time. In Argentina, football fans can watch the match from 11:00. According to Germany time, the match starts at 16:00. In the US, the match begins at 10:00 (New York time) and at 07:00 (California time).
Live Score
To get the live score of the match, visit the following link:
http://football-livescore.co.uk/
In their 18 all-time meetings, Argentina won on 8 occasions and Germany on 5 occasions, while 5 other matches were draw. However, these statistics would not have any impact on the match as players of both sides are looking to give their best to step into the semi final.
Germany may have shown glimpses of their dominance in the tournament, particularly in their big-margin win over Australia and England. However, their performance was not consistent. Argentina, on the other hand, would like to continue their dominating form that they have been displaying so far in the tournament.
Argentina defeated Mexico 3-1 in the round of 16, while Germany pulled off a 4-1 win over England at the same stage. So, both sides are full of confident ahead of their meeting on Saturday.
Argentina and Germany faced each other at the same stage of the 2006 World Cup. Germany reached the semi final after defeating Argentina 4-2 on penalty shootout and Argentina coach was fully criticized for dropping Lionel Messi at the bench.
This time, it is pretty much clear that Diego Maradona would not do that same mistake in his quest to become the first man to win World Cup both as a player as well as a coach after Franz Beckenbauer.
Lionel Messi has been in tremendous form so far and he would be the key man in Argentina’s attack which also features in-form strikers like Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuaín. Higuaín is now one of the three joint-leading scorers in the tournament with 4 goals to his name including a hat-trick against South Korea.
Germany also has some excellent attacking minded players. Another dominating performance from attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil could be a deciding factor in the match, while Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Müller form a fearful attacking line up.
While attack seems to be the strength of both sides, defense is where the problem exists. Both teams showed some sloppy defending in their previous matches, though those were overlooked mainly because of their dominance in attack. So, the performance of the back four of both teams could make a difference in the match.
Podolski is expected to get over his minor thigh problem and be available for the match. Ozil was rested for the last training session before the match and should be fit to get into the starting line up, while striker Cacau is doubtful due to his abdominal muscle strain.
Argentine center back Walter Samuel has shaken off his thigh injury, but it is less likely he would be in the starting line up. Though Messi missed a training session with a clod on Thursday, he should be fit for the match.
Argentina Starting Eleven (XI)
Sergio Romero, Martín Demichelis, Nicolás Burdisso, Nicolás Otamendi, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Mascherano, Maxi Rodríguez, Ángel di María, Lionel Messi, Carlos Tévez, Gonzalo Higuaín
Germany Starting Eleven (XI)
Manuel Neuer, Arne Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, Philipp Lahm, Jérôme Boateng, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Mesut Özil, Thomas Müller, Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose
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