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After dominating play, Argentina allowed Korea to cut into their lead just before
the half. I felt it spelt trouble with a capital ‘T’ for Argentina moving forward in
the tournament, since coach Maradona did not seem to be able to adjust his
team’s defensive schemes.
Instead, it was reported that Maradona boasted that his team was the best at
the tournament with the ball at their feet. While he may have had a point at the
time, coach Maradona should have been more focus on his defense instead of
Gonzalo Higuain scoring the first hat-trick of the tournament in Argentina’s 4-1
win.
Argentina secured their early passage to the Round of 16 and faced Mexico,
while Germany was waiting in the wings to be their quarter final opponent. At
the knockout stage, match ups and situational substitution are vital, especially
with overtime and/or the dreaded penalty
kicks lurking as the decider.
Argentina defeated Mexico 3-1 at Soccer
City, before their football DNA was
severely tested against Germany. While
Messi and Tevez proved to be too much
for El Tri, against Germany it was an
entirely different kettle of fish.
Billed as a mouth-watering duel, the Germany-Argentina quarter final
match was everything it was billed to be, and then some.
Argentina trailed 1-0 on a Thomas Mueller item in the third minute
and from then it looked like they threw in the towel defensively after
Miroslav Klose scored in the 68 minute to give Germany a 2-0 lead.
It was a total disregard for defense on Ame Friedrich’s scored to give
Germany its third of the evening and a 3-0 lead. Klose produced
Germany’s fourth and his second of the game to give Germany a 4-0
win and Argentina a shocking experience.
In turn Lionel Messi (the world’s number one player) will have to wait
for 2014 Brazil for his elusive first FIFA World Cup title and first goal.
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ssrmagazine.comGonzalo Higuain goal
against Korea Republic
Diego Maradona theatrics,
against Korea Republic
Argentina & the M&M factor