Silky football favored Germany rather than Argentina to help them to an impressive 4-0 victory over Diego Maradona's side in the World Cup quarter finals on Saturday. Thomas Muller opened the scoring early in the game before a late brace from Miroslav Klose and a goal from defender Arne Friedrich condemned Argentina to an embarrassing defeat. Klose took his World Cup tally to 14 goals, just one behind all-time top scorer Ronaldo of Brazil. Germany, who also ousted Argentina from the quarter finals in the 2006 tournament on home soil, reaped the rewards of their disciplined yet free-flowing display at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. They booked a last-four berth for the third successive World Cup and will face either Spain or Paraguay, who meet later in the day. Bright Start Germany made a bright start and managed to take the lead after three minutes. Muller got in front of Argentina right-back Nicolas Otamendi and headed Bastian Schweinsteiger's free kick past Argentina keeper Sergio Romero, who could only get a hand to it.
Favorites Argentina exit World Cup Germany's swift moves, which they were never accustomed to in the past, proved too good for a shaky-looking Argentinean midfield and defense. The likes of Muller, Lukas Podolski, Mesut Ozil and Schweinsteiger moved the ball around smoothly to bamboozle their opponents. Germany almost doubled their advantage on 24 minutes when Muller gathered a loose ball on the right and pulled it back to Klose, who skied his shot over the bar. Argentina relatively improved afterwards but rarely threatened Germany's in-form keeper Manuel Neuer. Lionel Messi's trademark feints were repeatedly thwarted by a steadfast German backline. Germany eased off a bit in the early stages of the second half but a late onslaught saw them heap more misery on Argentina. They made it 2-0 in the 68th minute when Klose tapped in from close range after making the most of a low cross from Podolski. Friedrich added the third six minutes later with a simple finish after Schweinsteiger skipped past three defenders inside Argentina's area. Klose completed the rout with one minute remaining when he volleyed in a pinpoint Ozil cross from 10 yards out after a neatly-worked counter attack.
