EURO 2012
Polandia - Ukraina
Polandia
Yunani
Rusia
Republik Ceko
Belanda
Denmark
Jerman
Portugal
Spanyol
Italia
Republik Irlandia
Kroasia
Ukraina
Swedia
Prancis
Inggris
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
David Villa Scorer, Spain go to quarter-final
9:00 AM
Two years to the day since they beat Germany to triumph at Euro 2008, Vicente del Bosque's side showed their slick brand of passing football is still just as effective by edging out their well-drilled Iberian rivals.
Spain had to survive a succession of missed chances by the Portuguese in the first half but, once Villa broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with his fourth goal of the tournament, they rarely looked threatened.
Spain had to survive a succession of missed chances by the Portuguese in the first half but, once Villa broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with his fourth goal of the tournament, they rarely looked threatened.
Portugal, semi-finalists in Germany four years ago, had Ricardo Costa sent off for an off-the-ball clash with Joan Capdevila before the end but by then their fate already looked sealed.
The only concern for Spain, who play Paraguay in the last eight, is the continuing lack of form shown by striker Fernando Torres, who seems to still be feeling the after-effects of the knee operation he had in April.
Torres did play his part in a bright start by Spain, cutting into the area and testing Eduardo with a curling shot, but he quickly faded and it was actually Portugal who had the best openings before half-time.
Villa had also brought a fine save out of Eduardo early on, while Xavi fired a first-time shot over from a corner but, after surviving those scares, Carlos Queiroz's side not only found a way of keeping Spain at arms length, they also began to threaten at the other end.
Twice Cristiano Ronaldo tried his luck from long range with free-kicks, and on the second occasion Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas could not hold on to the ball and Gerard Pique had to mop up.
Casillas looked jittery again when he parried a pile-driver by Tiago and had to race to beat Hugo Almeida to the ball, which was dropping towards the net.
Almeida somehow missed the target after rising to meet Simao's inviting deep cross, while Tiago wasted another good opening when he nodded wide from Fabio Coentrao's driven centre.
That should have acted as a warning for Spain, but they were caught on the break again early in the second half and were lucky to escape when Almeida's cross span off Carlos Puyol and looped just beyond the far post.
Portugual failed to seriously test Casillas again after that, but it still took the introduction of striker Fernando Llorente, who came off the bench for the ineffective Torres just before the hour mark, to spark Spain into life.
Within seconds, Llorente met a Sergio Ramos cross with a diving header that flew straight at Eduardo, who was relieved when Villa bent a shot round his post from the outside of the box soon afterwards.
You sensed the Spanish knew this was their moment and, in their next attack, Xavi's clever backheel played in Villa, who had his first shot saved but lifted the rebound into the roof of the net.
Del Bosque's men grew in confidence after taking the lead and, with Ronaldo anonymous, Portugal seemed short on ideas of how they could find an equaliser.
Spain should have added to their lead before the end, with Eduardo saving from Ramos and Villa, while the impressive Llorente headed wide.
But one goal was enough for them to secure victory and they look in good shape to go past the last eight, which is as far as they have progressed at a World Cup since they finished fourth in Brazil in 1950.
The only concern for Spain, who play Paraguay in the last eight, is the continuing lack of form shown by striker Fernando Torres, who seems to still be feeling the after-effects of the knee operation he had in April.
Torres did play his part in a bright start by Spain, cutting into the area and testing Eduardo with a curling shot, but he quickly faded and it was actually Portugal who had the best openings before half-time.
Villa had also brought a fine save out of Eduardo early on, while Xavi fired a first-time shot over from a corner but, after surviving those scares, Carlos Queiroz's side not only found a way of keeping Spain at arms length, they also began to threaten at the other end.
Twice Cristiano Ronaldo tried his luck from long range with free-kicks, and on the second occasion Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas could not hold on to the ball and Gerard Pique had to mop up.
Casillas looked jittery again when he parried a pile-driver by Tiago and had to race to beat Hugo Almeida to the ball, which was dropping towards the net.
Almeida somehow missed the target after rising to meet Simao's inviting deep cross, while Tiago wasted another good opening when he nodded wide from Fabio Coentrao's driven centre.
That should have acted as a warning for Spain, but they were caught on the break again early in the second half and were lucky to escape when Almeida's cross span off Carlos Puyol and looped just beyond the far post.
Portugual failed to seriously test Casillas again after that, but it still took the introduction of striker Fernando Llorente, who came off the bench for the ineffective Torres just before the hour mark, to spark Spain into life.
Within seconds, Llorente met a Sergio Ramos cross with a diving header that flew straight at Eduardo, who was relieved when Villa bent a shot round his post from the outside of the box soon afterwards.
You sensed the Spanish knew this was their moment and, in their next attack, Xavi's clever backheel played in Villa, who had his first shot saved but lifted the rebound into the roof of the net.
Del Bosque's men grew in confidence after taking the lead and, with Ronaldo anonymous, Portugal seemed short on ideas of how they could find an equaliser.
Spain should have added to their lead before the end, with Eduardo saving from Ramos and Villa, while the impressive Llorente headed wide.
But one goal was enough for them to secure victory and they look in good shape to go past the last eight, which is as far as they have progressed at a World Cup since they finished fourth in Brazil in 1950.
Spain
|
1-0 |
|
FT |
| Villa, 63 | (HT 0-0) | ||
Team |
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Spain
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Portugal
|
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| Substitutes:
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Portugal
(04 Marchena, 90+3)
Going Paraguay, Japan Crying through penalty shoot-out
12:51 AM
Gerardo Martino's team scored all five of their penalties after a disappointing match had finished goalless at the end of extra-time.
But Paraguay's joy was Japan's agony as Yuichi Komano's spot kick brushed the crossbar and flew over as the Blue Samurai's tournament came to an agonising end.
As with their opponents, Japan were bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time and came closest to scoring during a game of few chances when Daisuke Matsui smashed a long-range strike against the crossbar in the first half.
But Paraguay's joy was Japan's agony as Yuichi Komano's spot kick brushed the crossbar and flew over as the Blue Samurai's tournament came to an agonising end.
As with their opponents, Japan were bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time and came closest to scoring during a game of few chances when Daisuke Matsui smashed a long-range strike against the crossbar in the first half.
Japan coach Takeshi Okada had targeted a semi-final place before the tournament but in a game during which neither side really gambled on scoring a winner it is his team that ultimately paid for their lack of ambition.
Their defeat ended Asia's participation in the tournament, but Tuesday's result in Pretoria ensured that there will be four South American sides in the last eight.
Gerardo Martin's team have conceded only once in their four games in South Africa and were defensively solid against a Japan team that had previously looked dangerous on the counter attack.
Japan aimed two long-distance strikes towards the Paraguay goal in the opening minutes but the tie soon deteriorated into a scrappy, edgy contest.
The Blue Samurai, unchanged for their fourth straight World Cup match, sat deep and attempted to snuff out the opposition, while Paraguay conceded a series of niggling fouls every time Japan looked to strike on the counter.
There was one scintillating minute in an otherwise forgettable opening half.
It started when a deft turn from Lucas Barrios briefly left two Japan defenders foundering but his strike with the outside of his right boot was saved.
Seconds later Matsui, whose impressive tournament had a disappointing end when he was withdrawn shortly after the restart, crashed his long-range effort against Justo Villar's crossbar.
Matsui later turned provider for Honda, who opted to strike first time but missed from 20 yards when he clearly had the space to take an initial touch.
Roque Santa Cruz, deployed on the right by Martino, ought to have tested Eiji Kawashima after a corner dropped invitingly but he missed from close to the penalty spot as a largely soporific half ended goalless.
There was not much of an upsurge in entertainment after the restart.
Yuji Nakazawa blocked an Edgar Benitez strike and Sunderland-bound Christian Riveros headed wide after a superb near-post run.
A Yuto Nagatomo strike took a deflection off Carlos Bonet, while one effort from the unfortunate Komano spoke volumes about the lack of attacking quality at vital moments.
The right-back found an advanced position but his shot from a wide angle was so far wide that the subsequent throw-in took place almost 18 yards from the byeline.
Neither team had been able to mount a sustained spell of pressure but Paraguay did enjoy a brief period in the ascendancy shortly after the start of extra-time.
Kawashima saved a disappointing header from Barrios, who was unmarked, and smothered a shot from substitute Nelson Valdez after his sharp turn finally picked a hole in the Japan defence.
Villar saved a low strike from Honda that appeared to be going wide and there was one moment when there appeared to be space inside the Paraguay box but any prospects of Japan capitalising were undermined by an awful cross from substitute Keiji Tamada.
There was a certain inevitability about the penalty shoot-out that eventually took place. Neither keeper came particularly close to making a save but Komano's miss proved decisive.
Their defeat ended Asia's participation in the tournament, but Tuesday's result in Pretoria ensured that there will be four South American sides in the last eight.
Gerardo Martin's team have conceded only once in their four games in South Africa and were defensively solid against a Japan team that had previously looked dangerous on the counter attack.
Japan aimed two long-distance strikes towards the Paraguay goal in the opening minutes but the tie soon deteriorated into a scrappy, edgy contest.
The Blue Samurai, unchanged for their fourth straight World Cup match, sat deep and attempted to snuff out the opposition, while Paraguay conceded a series of niggling fouls every time Japan looked to strike on the counter.
There was one scintillating minute in an otherwise forgettable opening half.
It started when a deft turn from Lucas Barrios briefly left two Japan defenders foundering but his strike with the outside of his right boot was saved.
Seconds later Matsui, whose impressive tournament had a disappointing end when he was withdrawn shortly after the restart, crashed his long-range effort against Justo Villar's crossbar.
Matsui later turned provider for Honda, who opted to strike first time but missed from 20 yards when he clearly had the space to take an initial touch.
Roque Santa Cruz, deployed on the right by Martino, ought to have tested Eiji Kawashima after a corner dropped invitingly but he missed from close to the penalty spot as a largely soporific half ended goalless.
There was not much of an upsurge in entertainment after the restart.
Yuji Nakazawa blocked an Edgar Benitez strike and Sunderland-bound Christian Riveros headed wide after a superb near-post run.
A Yuto Nagatomo strike took a deflection off Carlos Bonet, while one effort from the unfortunate Komano spoke volumes about the lack of attacking quality at vital moments.
The right-back found an advanced position but his shot from a wide angle was so far wide that the subsequent throw-in took place almost 18 yards from the byeline.
Neither team had been able to mount a sustained spell of pressure but Paraguay did enjoy a brief period in the ascendancy shortly after the start of extra-time.
Kawashima saved a disappointing header from Barrios, who was unmarked, and smothered a shot from substitute Nelson Valdez after his sharp turn finally picked a hole in the Japan defence.
Villar saved a low strike from Honda that appeared to be going wide and there was one moment when there appeared to be space inside the Paraguay box but any prospects of Japan capitalising were undermined by an awful cross from substitute Keiji Tamada.
There was a certain inevitability about the penalty shoot-out that eventually took place. Neither keeper came particularly close to making a save but Komano's miss proved decisive.
Paraguay
|
0-0 |
|
FT |
| (HT 0-0) Paraguay win 5-3 on penalties |
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Team |
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Paraguay
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Japan
|
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| Substitutes:
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JapanTuesday, June 29, 2010
Brazil challenged the Netherlands in the quarter-finals
8:08 PM
The Selecao defeated Chile 4-2 and 3-0 in World Cup qualifying - and Dunga's team eased to a comfortable victory at Ellis Park on Monday as their opponents became the first South American team to be eliminated from the competition.
Chile, shorn of suspended trio Marco Estrada, Waldo Ponce and Gary Medel, were always up against it after conceding twice in four minutes shortly after the half-hour mark.
Chile, shorn of suspended trio Marco Estrada, Waldo Ponce and Gary Medel, were always up against it after conceding twice in four minutes shortly after the half-hour mark.
Juan opened the scoring with a powerful header and Luis Fabiano slotted into an empty net to finish off an attacking move of lethal precision as Brazil took another step towards a sixth World Cup title.
A precise right-foot finish from the edge of the area saw Robinho, who had a later effort ruled out for offside, open his account at the tournament in the second half.
Brazil boss Dunga has been heavily criticised back home for constructing a team that values efficiency ahead of flair, but his side controlled the vast majority of the match and were comfortable winners.
Chile, as with Mexico against Argentina on Sunday, really took the contest to their opponents in the opening minutes.
Marcela Bielsa's side have won many admirers in South Africa with their quick-fire, skilful brand of attacking football, but apart from a weak Humberto Suarez shot that Brazil keeper Julio Cesar easily collected they had little end product to show for their bright start.
Brazil, with Dani Alves superb on the right of midfield, gave Chile no room to breathe and gradually took control of the contest.
They should have been awarded a penalty when Lucio was brought down by a late tackle from Pablo Contreras, but eventually took the lead through Juan's header from Maicon's corner.
The Brazil defender was left unmarked - and his perfectly placed header clearly rattled Chile, whose increasingly erratic passing prevented them from picking any holes in their opponents' defensive structure.
The tie was as good as won when Brazil scored their second just four minutes after Juan's header, with a goal of breathtaking movement and precision.
Robinho cut inside before playing a square ball to Kaka, who delivered a beautifully weighted first-time pass that Luis Fabiano, in an onside position, collected before easing past Claudio Bravo and slotting into an empty net.
The striker almost doubled his tally with a glancing header that flew wide, but Robinho sealed victory just before the hour mark with his precise finish after the impressive Ramires finished a surging run with a accurate pass. Ramires was later booked and will miss the match against the Dutch.
Bielsa had made all three substitutions with 30 minutes remaining as he chased the game and Jorge Valdivia almost pulled a goal back with a clean strike that narrowly flew over the crossbar shortly after his introduction, while Julio Cesar denied Suazo, who later clipped the crossbar.
Brazil slowed the pace of the contest but attacked in occasional devastating bursts that saw Robinho twice come close to a second goal.
He had an angled strike saved by Bravo and later slotted beyond the Chilean keeper, but was denied by a marginal but correct offside decision.
It made no difference to the outcome of a tie already over, but the five-time world champions will face a stiffer test against the Dutch in Port Elizabeth on 2 July.
A precise right-foot finish from the edge of the area saw Robinho, who had a later effort ruled out for offside, open his account at the tournament in the second half.
Brazil boss Dunga has been heavily criticised back home for constructing a team that values efficiency ahead of flair, but his side controlled the vast majority of the match and were comfortable winners.
Chile, as with Mexico against Argentina on Sunday, really took the contest to their opponents in the opening minutes.
Marcela Bielsa's side have won many admirers in South Africa with their quick-fire, skilful brand of attacking football, but apart from a weak Humberto Suarez shot that Brazil keeper Julio Cesar easily collected they had little end product to show for their bright start.
Brazil, with Dani Alves superb on the right of midfield, gave Chile no room to breathe and gradually took control of the contest.
They should have been awarded a penalty when Lucio was brought down by a late tackle from Pablo Contreras, but eventually took the lead through Juan's header from Maicon's corner.
The Brazil defender was left unmarked - and his perfectly placed header clearly rattled Chile, whose increasingly erratic passing prevented them from picking any holes in their opponents' defensive structure.
The tie was as good as won when Brazil scored their second just four minutes after Juan's header, with a goal of breathtaking movement and precision.
Robinho cut inside before playing a square ball to Kaka, who delivered a beautifully weighted first-time pass that Luis Fabiano, in an onside position, collected before easing past Claudio Bravo and slotting into an empty net.
The striker almost doubled his tally with a glancing header that flew wide, but Robinho sealed victory just before the hour mark with his precise finish after the impressive Ramires finished a surging run with a accurate pass. Ramires was later booked and will miss the match against the Dutch.
Bielsa had made all three substitutions with 30 minutes remaining as he chased the game and Jorge Valdivia almost pulled a goal back with a clean strike that narrowly flew over the crossbar shortly after his introduction, while Julio Cesar denied Suazo, who later clipped the crossbar.
Brazil slowed the pace of the contest but attacked in occasional devastating bursts that saw Robinho twice come close to a second goal.
He had an angled strike saved by Bravo and later slotted beyond the Chilean keeper, but was denied by a marginal but correct offside decision.
It made no difference to the outcome of a tie already over, but the five-time world champions will face a stiffer test against the Dutch in Port Elizabeth on 2 July.
Brazil
|
3-0 |
|
FT |
| Juan, 34 Luis Fabiano, 38 Robinho, 59 |
(HT 2-0) | ||
Team |
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Brazil
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Chile
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| Substitutes:
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Chile
A superb strike from Arjen Robben
8:05 PM
Robben capped his first start of the finals in South Africa by collecting a pass from Sneijder before running at the Slovakia defence and then firing a superb low drive into the net from 25 yards.
Sneijder stroked home a pull-back from Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt to essentially seal the game for the Dutch, with Robert Vittek firing home a consolation penalty with the very last kick of the match.
It gave Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk and his side a deserved victory, but one they rarely had to be at their best to secure against opponents that worked hard but lacked the composure to capitalise on the few chances that fell their way.
Sneijder stroked home a pull-back from Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt to essentially seal the game for the Dutch, with Robert Vittek firing home a consolation penalty with the very last kick of the match.
It gave Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk and his side a deserved victory, but one they rarely had to be at their best to secure against opponents that worked hard but lacked the composure to capitalise on the few chances that fell their way.
In reaching the last 16 and eliminating Italy via a 3-2 group win over the holders, Slovakia have achieved their goal in their first World Cup since splitting from Czechoslovakia in 1993.
With a quarter-final tie against either Brazil or Chile to come, the Dutch will have to up their game if they are to fulfil their own aim.
Van Marwijk's men have a 100% record in South Africa - matching their impressive achievement in winning all their qualification games for the tournament - and have now gone a Dutch record 23 games unbeaten, but there remains discontent amongst the Oranje Army, who feel their side are not winning with sufficient style. What England would give for such concerns.
Such gripes, whilst arguably trivial in a successful side, are valid as the current Netherlands side are not the aesthetically pleasing product of generations past.
They do not compare to the revered teams from 1974 and 1978, nor even are they as fluent as that which was eliminated from the European Championships at the quarter-final stage in 2008.
This Dutch have traded in their total game for dependent football, with an efficiently pragmatic, rigid structure functioning largely to feed a supremely talented and liberated front three of Sneijder, Robben and Robin van Persie.
This trio are capable of hurting the world's best and Slovakia - ranked 34 in the world - were unable to cope with their pace and movement.
All three had efforts on goal during the first half, and while Van Persie planted a poor header wide and Sneijder shot straight at Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha from an angle, Robben ruthlessly exposed Slovakia's defensive fallibility to score in the 18th minute.
Sneijder floated a superb, raking pass to release the Bayern Munich man, who controlled, ran on, cut inside and then finished with aplomb into the bottom corner. It was the only moment of true quality in the first 45 minutes.
Robben was again in the thick of the action early in the second half, collecting the ball on the left and drawing a good full-stretch save from Mucha with a curling effort before appearing on the right and pulling back for Sneijder to shoot, but again the Slovakia keeper saved, this time with his face.
Slovakia offered little threat in the first half, but twice in a space of two second-half minutes they threatened to draw level.
Miroslav Stoch took a leaf out of Robben's book by cutting inside onto his right foot and shooting but Netherlands keeper Maarten Stekelenburg tipped over.
Seconds later Marek Hamsik toe-poked forward for Vittek, who showed none of the composure he demonstrated to score twice against Italy by firing straight at Stekelenburg.
With six minutes remaining, Sneijder made amends for his earlier miss, this time receiving a pull-back from Kuyt, after Mucha had missed the initial pass to the Liverpool player, and slotting home into a largely empty net.
Slovakia's final touch in this World Cup was a positive one as Vittek stroked home a penalty for his fourth and final goal of the tournament after Stekelenburg had tripped the striker.
With a quarter-final tie against either Brazil or Chile to come, the Dutch will have to up their game if they are to fulfil their own aim.
Van Marwijk's men have a 100% record in South Africa - matching their impressive achievement in winning all their qualification games for the tournament - and have now gone a Dutch record 23 games unbeaten, but there remains discontent amongst the Oranje Army, who feel their side are not winning with sufficient style. What England would give for such concerns.
Such gripes, whilst arguably trivial in a successful side, are valid as the current Netherlands side are not the aesthetically pleasing product of generations past.
They do not compare to the revered teams from 1974 and 1978, nor even are they as fluent as that which was eliminated from the European Championships at the quarter-final stage in 2008.
This Dutch have traded in their total game for dependent football, with an efficiently pragmatic, rigid structure functioning largely to feed a supremely talented and liberated front three of Sneijder, Robben and Robin van Persie.
This trio are capable of hurting the world's best and Slovakia - ranked 34 in the world - were unable to cope with their pace and movement.
All three had efforts on goal during the first half, and while Van Persie planted a poor header wide and Sneijder shot straight at Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha from an angle, Robben ruthlessly exposed Slovakia's defensive fallibility to score in the 18th minute.
Sneijder floated a superb, raking pass to release the Bayern Munich man, who controlled, ran on, cut inside and then finished with aplomb into the bottom corner. It was the only moment of true quality in the first 45 minutes.
Robben was again in the thick of the action early in the second half, collecting the ball on the left and drawing a good full-stretch save from Mucha with a curling effort before appearing on the right and pulling back for Sneijder to shoot, but again the Slovakia keeper saved, this time with his face.
Slovakia offered little threat in the first half, but twice in a space of two second-half minutes they threatened to draw level.
Miroslav Stoch took a leaf out of Robben's book by cutting inside onto his right foot and shooting but Netherlands keeper Maarten Stekelenburg tipped over.
Seconds later Marek Hamsik toe-poked forward for Vittek, who showed none of the composure he demonstrated to score twice against Italy by firing straight at Stekelenburg.
With six minutes remaining, Sneijder made amends for his earlier miss, this time receiving a pull-back from Kuyt, after Mucha had missed the initial pass to the Liverpool player, and slotting home into a largely empty net.
Slovakia's final touch in this World Cup was a positive one as Vittek stroked home a penalty for his fourth and final goal of the tournament after Stekelenburg had tripped the striker.
Netherlands
|
2-1 |
|
FT |
| Robben, 18 Sneijder, 84 |
(HT 1-0) | Vittek (pen), 90+4 | |
Team |
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Netherlands
|
Slovakia
|
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| Substitutes:
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Slovakia
Argentina to meet Germany in the quarter-finals after defeating Mexico
7:45 PM
Just as England had been incensed earlier on Sunday when a Frank Lampard shot that clearly crossed the goal-line was not awarded in their match against Germany, so Mexico had the right to feel aggrieved by another example of awful officiating.
Javier Aguirre's side probably edged an engrossing opening phase to the contest, but they never recovered after Carlos Tevez headed Argentina in front despite being yards offside when the ball was played to him by Lionel Messi.
Javier Aguirre's side probably edged an engrossing opening phase to the contest, but they never recovered after Carlos Tevez headed Argentina in front despite being yards offside when the ball was played to him by Lionel Messi.
It was a decision that prompted the Mexican side to surround the linesman in the aftermath of the goal being awarded and led to a melee as the referee tried to leave the field at the break.
Mexico's prospects of clawing their way back into the contest faded after Ricardo Osorio gifted possession to Gonzalo Higuain, who slotted home his fourth goal of the competition to give Argentina breathing space by the break.
And Tevez's sensational second-half strike ensured that Maradona's team continued their excellent form in South Africa with their fourth straight win of the tournament.
They can now focus on gaining a measure of revenge on Germany, who knocked them out of the 2006 World Cup at the quarter-final stage after a penalty shoot-out.
But the match will doubtless leave a bitter taste in the mouth for Mexico, who pulled a goal back through Javier Hernandez.
El Tri were intent on avenging their defeat against Argentina in 2006 but have now bowed out of the last five World Cups at the round of 16 stage.
Until Argentina took a grip on the tie by scoring twice in eight first-half minutes it had been a fascinating contest between two sides that were obviously comfortable in possession.
There were some wonderful passages of play as both sides enjoyed periods when they probed their opponent's defensive structure with crisp passing and intelligent movement.
Carlos Salcido crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar and Andres Guardado shot narrowly wide as Mexico found space in front of an Argentina backline that many believe to be a possible weak link in an otherwise gifted side.
There had been relatively little to alarm the Mexican side when Tevez struck his controversial opener, which came after his initial effort had been smothered by Oscar Perez and Messi hooked the rebound back into the box.
The goal clearly rattled the Mexicans, particularly after they saw a replay on the big screen inside Soccer City and surrounded the guilty linesman in angry protest.
Several Argentine players, waiting for the restart, joined the fray, perhaps fearing the goal would be ruled out - and there was confusion inside the ground but Tevez's headed finish stood.
Mexico only had themselves to blame for the Albiceleste's second after Osorio, under no immediate pressure, scuffed a pass close to the edge of his penalty area, allowing Higuain to snatch the ball before rounding Perez and slotting home.
Higuain should probably have sealed Argentina's place in the last eight before the break but headed wide from six yards, while Mexico's Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez was inches from connecting with a cross in injury time.
The Tevez goal was clearly still a source of frustration and several Mexicans surrounded Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and his team as they made their way from the field.
Within seconds players from both teams, plus the ever-involved Maradona, had formed a scrum that threatened to boil over.
Poor officiating and sloppy play had nothing to do with the decisive third goal, which came shortly after the restart when Tevez rifled the ball into the top corner with an unstoppable long-range effort.
Mexico might have thrown in the towel but continued to press, with Hernandez heading wide again and Gabriel Heinze clearing off the line from substitute Guillermo Franco.
They did pull one back when the previously profligate Hernandez turned beautifully to lose the flat-footed Martin DeMichelis before burying a shot beyond Sergio Romero.
Messi, who had a quiet second half, almost scored his first of the tournament late on after a mazy run but his shot was well saved.
Mexico's prospects of clawing their way back into the contest faded after Ricardo Osorio gifted possession to Gonzalo Higuain, who slotted home his fourth goal of the competition to give Argentina breathing space by the break.
And Tevez's sensational second-half strike ensured that Maradona's team continued their excellent form in South Africa with their fourth straight win of the tournament.
They can now focus on gaining a measure of revenge on Germany, who knocked them out of the 2006 World Cup at the quarter-final stage after a penalty shoot-out.
But the match will doubtless leave a bitter taste in the mouth for Mexico, who pulled a goal back through Javier Hernandez.
El Tri were intent on avenging their defeat against Argentina in 2006 but have now bowed out of the last five World Cups at the round of 16 stage.
Until Argentina took a grip on the tie by scoring twice in eight first-half minutes it had been a fascinating contest between two sides that were obviously comfortable in possession.
There were some wonderful passages of play as both sides enjoyed periods when they probed their opponent's defensive structure with crisp passing and intelligent movement.
Carlos Salcido crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar and Andres Guardado shot narrowly wide as Mexico found space in front of an Argentina backline that many believe to be a possible weak link in an otherwise gifted side.
There had been relatively little to alarm the Mexican side when Tevez struck his controversial opener, which came after his initial effort had been smothered by Oscar Perez and Messi hooked the rebound back into the box.
The goal clearly rattled the Mexicans, particularly after they saw a replay on the big screen inside Soccer City and surrounded the guilty linesman in angry protest.
Several Argentine players, waiting for the restart, joined the fray, perhaps fearing the goal would be ruled out - and there was confusion inside the ground but Tevez's headed finish stood.
Mexico only had themselves to blame for the Albiceleste's second after Osorio, under no immediate pressure, scuffed a pass close to the edge of his penalty area, allowing Higuain to snatch the ball before rounding Perez and slotting home.
Higuain should probably have sealed Argentina's place in the last eight before the break but headed wide from six yards, while Mexico's Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez was inches from connecting with a cross in injury time.
The Tevez goal was clearly still a source of frustration and several Mexicans surrounded Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and his team as they made their way from the field.
Within seconds players from both teams, plus the ever-involved Maradona, had formed a scrum that threatened to boil over.
Poor officiating and sloppy play had nothing to do with the decisive third goal, which came shortly after the restart when Tevez rifled the ball into the top corner with an unstoppable long-range effort.
Mexico might have thrown in the towel but continued to press, with Hernandez heading wide again and Gabriel Heinze clearing off the line from substitute Guillermo Franco.
They did pull one back when the previously profligate Hernandez turned beautifully to lose the flat-footed Martin DeMichelis before burying a shot beyond Sergio Romero.
Messi, who had a quiet second half, almost scored his first of the tournament late on after a mazy run but his shot was well saved.
Argentina
|
3-1 |
|
FT |
| Tevez, 25, 52 Higuain, 33 |
(HT 2-0) | Hernandez, 71 | |
Team |
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Argentina
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Mexico
|
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| Substitutes:
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Mexico
Controversy Accident in Match England versus Germany
7:42 PM
Germany's deserved win and convincing victory margin will be overshadowed forever in the minds of Fabio Capello and his squad by a moment they believe robbed them of the hope of reaching the last eight.
Matthew Upson had thrown England a lifeline just before half-time after a vastly superior Germany had taken a stranglehold on the game with goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.
Matthew Upson had thrown England a lifeline just before half-time after a vastly superior Germany had taken a stranglehold on the game with goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.
But moments after Upson's header, in a grim echo of Geoff Hurst's goal that helped England to victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, Frank Lampard's superb lofted finish landed feet over the line behind German keeper Manuel Neuer, an incident obvious to almost everyone inside the Free State Stadium.
Capello was leading the England celebrations in his technical area, only to be stunned as Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and his officials waved play on.
England's players and coaching team, including David Beckham, led vehement protests as the teams went off at half-time, but all to no avail and Germany made the most of their reprieve.
The Germans will feel a measure of justice has been restored 44 years on, but this was of no consolation to the modern-day England as insult was added to injury by Joachim Loew's gifted young side.
Lampard struck the bar as England dominated the early stages of the second half, but stunning counter-attacks saw Thomas Mueller score twice in the space of three minutes midway through the second half to send Germany into the last eight.
England, with some justification, will bemoan their luck but nothing must disguise the manner in which they were outclassed by Germany in stages of this game and also what has been an ultimately bitterly disappointing World Cup campaign in South Africa.
The brief hope of revival offered by victory against Slovenia that saw England advance to the knockout phase was snuffed out emphatically here by their old World Cup adversaries as they suffered their heaviest defeat at a major championship.
England paid the price for sloppy defending that gifted Germany goals - with central defenders John Terry and Upson having their immobility exposed in embarrassing fashion.
Wayne Rooney will return home having had minimal impact on the World Cup, and Capello himself must examine how England can move forward after being handed this painful lesson by Germany.
Capello chose to keep faith with Upson - but the defender was the central figure in a moment of defending that was almost indescribably bad as Germany took the lead after 20 minutes.
Germany keeper Neuer's long clearance was routine, but both Upson and Terry were caught out of position, with the West Ham defender compounding his misjudgement by being brushed aside for Klose to stab home.
England keeper David James, who had earlier saved well from Mesut Ozil, prevented England from falling further behind with a crucial block from Klose as he raced clear, but it was only a temporary reprieve as Germany extended their lead 12 minutes later.
Again England were all at sea defensively, with Podolski left with time and space to score from an angle after Klose and Mueller carved them wide open.
England needed a swift response to at least have some hope of mounting a revival, and it came from Upson as he made amends for his earlier error. He beat the flailing Neuer to Steven Gerrard's cross to head into an unguarded net.
Then came the moment of huge controversy that will haunt England and Capello for years to come. Even from high in the stands at the Free State Stadium, it was clear Lampard's audacious chip had travelled well over the line behind Neuer, but as Capello celebrated, England were stunned to find play waved on.
Lampard's ill-luck continued as England made a purposeful start the second half. He fired in a free-kick from 25 yards, but it rebounded off the bar with the static Neuer beaten.
The danger was always that Germany would strike on the counter attack, and they did to deadly effect as Mueller reopened their two-goal advantage after 67 minutes.
From and England free-kick Gareth Barry lost possession on the edge of Germany's area, allowing them to sweep to the other end for Mueller to fire past James from Bastian Schweinsteiger's pass.
And it was all over three minutes later, with Barry at fault again. He failed to deal with a clearance near the touchline, letting in Ozil to provide Mueller with a simple finish.
England had nothing left to offer and their World Cup campaign ended with a whimper - although they will complain bitterly about the moment they will feel had a decisive effect on the outcome of the game.
Capello was leading the England celebrations in his technical area, only to be stunned as Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and his officials waved play on.
England's players and coaching team, including David Beckham, led vehement protests as the teams went off at half-time, but all to no avail and Germany made the most of their reprieve.
The Germans will feel a measure of justice has been restored 44 years on, but this was of no consolation to the modern-day England as insult was added to injury by Joachim Loew's gifted young side.
Lampard struck the bar as England dominated the early stages of the second half, but stunning counter-attacks saw Thomas Mueller score twice in the space of three minutes midway through the second half to send Germany into the last eight.
England, with some justification, will bemoan their luck but nothing must disguise the manner in which they were outclassed by Germany in stages of this game and also what has been an ultimately bitterly disappointing World Cup campaign in South Africa.
The brief hope of revival offered by victory against Slovenia that saw England advance to the knockout phase was snuffed out emphatically here by their old World Cup adversaries as they suffered their heaviest defeat at a major championship.
England paid the price for sloppy defending that gifted Germany goals - with central defenders John Terry and Upson having their immobility exposed in embarrassing fashion.
Wayne Rooney will return home having had minimal impact on the World Cup, and Capello himself must examine how England can move forward after being handed this painful lesson by Germany.
Capello chose to keep faith with Upson - but the defender was the central figure in a moment of defending that was almost indescribably bad as Germany took the lead after 20 minutes.
Germany keeper Neuer's long clearance was routine, but both Upson and Terry were caught out of position, with the West Ham defender compounding his misjudgement by being brushed aside for Klose to stab home.
England keeper David James, who had earlier saved well from Mesut Ozil, prevented England from falling further behind with a crucial block from Klose as he raced clear, but it was only a temporary reprieve as Germany extended their lead 12 minutes later.
Again England were all at sea defensively, with Podolski left with time and space to score from an angle after Klose and Mueller carved them wide open.
England needed a swift response to at least have some hope of mounting a revival, and it came from Upson as he made amends for his earlier error. He beat the flailing Neuer to Steven Gerrard's cross to head into an unguarded net.
Then came the moment of huge controversy that will haunt England and Capello for years to come. Even from high in the stands at the Free State Stadium, it was clear Lampard's audacious chip had travelled well over the line behind Neuer, but as Capello celebrated, England were stunned to find play waved on.
Lampard's ill-luck continued as England made a purposeful start the second half. He fired in a free-kick from 25 yards, but it rebounded off the bar with the static Neuer beaten.
The danger was always that Germany would strike on the counter attack, and they did to deadly effect as Mueller reopened their two-goal advantage after 67 minutes.
From and England free-kick Gareth Barry lost possession on the edge of Germany's area, allowing them to sweep to the other end for Mueller to fire past James from Bastian Schweinsteiger's pass.
And it was all over three minutes later, with Barry at fault again. He failed to deal with a clearance near the touchline, letting in Ozil to provide Mueller with a simple finish.
England had nothing left to offer and their World Cup campaign ended with a whimper - although they will complain bitterly about the moment they will feel had a decisive effect on the outcome of the game.
Germany
|
4-1 |
|
FT |
| Klose, 20 Podolski, 32 Muller, 67, 70 |
(HT 2-1) | Upson, 37 | |
Team |
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Germany
|
England
|
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| Substitutes:
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England
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