Throughout the group games the Argies looked more than a wee bit special. Maradona's off-the-wall qualities seemed to get the best out of the players, they turned on the style without ever overstretching thmselves, and gave the impression they might be the team capable of upsetting my favourites Brazil. With Dunga's boys already homeward bound, why shouldn't Argentina go all the way and win it? Of course, the TV studio 'experts' doubted their defensive qualities but, c'mon, what do they know? Then again, don't ever underestimate the Germans.
The Argentinian keeper should be jailed for the first goal. Waiting for a tame cross to drop into his arms, did the likelihood of a German getting across him to reach the ball first not cross Romero's mind? Thomas Muller didn't connect properly - he didn't have to! - but the simplest of touches was enough to leave the goalie stranded, half-crouched in the middle of the six-yard box, and that merest glance took the ball into the gaping net.
Never having been required to come from behind, questions were being asked of Argentina and they were found to be well short of answers. The Germans' counterattacking football which exposed all of England's flaws did the same job on the Argies. As they chased the game, they left space in behind and Germany exploited it ruthlessly.
All through the one-sided second half, the backing track of flutes, accordians and drums reverberated in the surrounding streets. Can there be a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon? Well, if only the Rangers had been playing.
Klose, Freidrich and Klose again wrapped up an excellent day's work for the Germans but, in truth, they threatened to score whenever they crossed the halfway line. Bolstered by the nucleus of the squad which won the European Under-21 Championship, this German team could be capable of ruling the roost for a long time to come, through the next two Euros and the next two World Cups. Scary, eh? Remembering how dismal they have been since the turn of the century - yet the still reached the 2002 World Cup Final and the Euro2008 Final - whatever they are doing to generate the development of new talent, they are doing it right.
Spain were alweays certainties to see off Paraguay in my eyes but who could have predicted that mental couple of minutes in the second half. First a penalty for Paraguay but Oscar Cardozo side-footed into Iker Casillas's arms, then Xabi Alonso buried a spot kick at the other end, only for the ref to order a retake. He was always going to make a mess of it second time around.
As has become the norm, David Villa won it for Spain with eight minutes left. Iniesta made all the running, slipped a neat pass through to Pedro who hit the post, Villa followed up, he too clipped the woodwork but, in this instance, the ball bounced in rather than out and it was all over.
Spain have yet to set the heather on fire - do they have heather in South Africa? - but, with Villa on-song, you'd always fancy them to get at least one goal. Thereafter, it will be down to their defence, there have been doubts expressed, especially after the defeat from Switzerland, so we will find out one way or another in Durban on Wednesday.
This one will be just as tight as Holland v Uruguay but, with my pal The Koelsch moving into World Cup overdrive, how could I back anyone other than the Germans?
Tomorrow: Firing Blanks
The Argentinian keeper should be jailed for the first goal. Waiting for a tame cross to drop into his arms, did the likelihood of a German getting across him to reach the ball first not cross Romero's mind? Thomas Muller didn't connect properly - he didn't have to! - but the simplest of touches was enough to leave the goalie stranded, half-crouched in the middle of the six-yard box, and that merest glance took the ball into the gaping net.
Never having been required to come from behind, questions were being asked of Argentina and they were found to be well short of answers. The Germans' counterattacking football which exposed all of England's flaws did the same job on the Argies. As they chased the game, they left space in behind and Germany exploited it ruthlessly.
All through the one-sided second half, the backing track of flutes, accordians and drums reverberated in the surrounding streets. Can there be a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon? Well, if only the Rangers had been playing.
Klose, Freidrich and Klose again wrapped up an excellent day's work for the Germans but, in truth, they threatened to score whenever they crossed the halfway line. Bolstered by the nucleus of the squad which won the European Under-21 Championship, this German team could be capable of ruling the roost for a long time to come, through the next two Euros and the next two World Cups. Scary, eh? Remembering how dismal they have been since the turn of the century - yet the still reached the 2002 World Cup Final and the Euro2008 Final - whatever they are doing to generate the development of new talent, they are doing it right.
Spain were alweays certainties to see off Paraguay in my eyes but who could have predicted that mental couple of minutes in the second half. First a penalty for Paraguay but Oscar Cardozo side-footed into Iker Casillas's arms, then Xabi Alonso buried a spot kick at the other end, only for the ref to order a retake. He was always going to make a mess of it second time around.
As has become the norm, David Villa won it for Spain with eight minutes left. Iniesta made all the running, slipped a neat pass through to Pedro who hit the post, Villa followed up, he too clipped the woodwork but, in this instance, the ball bounced in rather than out and it was all over.
Spain have yet to set the heather on fire - do they have heather in South Africa? - but, with Villa on-song, you'd always fancy them to get at least one goal. Thereafter, it will be down to their defence, there have been doubts expressed, especially after the defeat from Switzerland, so we will find out one way or another in Durban on Wednesday.
This one will be just as tight as Holland v Uruguay but, with my pal The Koelsch moving into World Cup overdrive, how could I back anyone other than the Germans?
Tomorrow: Firing Blanks