Luca Off The Mark As Europeans Storm Through

Posted by footynut in July 1st, 2006

Germany and Italy are through after beating Argentina and Ukraine respectively.

Italy breeze through their quaterfinals thanks to their lanky foward Luca Toni,who at the 5th attempt finally gets off the mark with a brace and Zambrotta who scored a fantastic long range effort.

Luca Toni

There were moments of brilliance from the Ukranians especially from Andriy Shevchenko but failing to take their chances prove fatal especially since the Italians were on form.

In the end if was goodbye World Cup for Sheva and co as the Italians go through to the semis and will now face hosts Germany who earlier in the day ousted favourites Argentina.

dejected

Argentina were hot favourites to overcome the hosts,before the game started many believed that Germany would pose some troubles for Argentina but expected the south american side to progress, and after seeing the Argentinians forge ahead with a Roberto Ayala goal in the 49th minute many more would have believed that maybe this was Argentina’s year.

But it was not to be as the tournaments top scorer - Miroslav Klose duly headed in the equalising goal for the Germans at the stroke of 80 minutes,sending the fans into delirium.

However i personally believe that Jose Pekerman made his first tactical mistake in this tournament (and how costly it was!) when he made susbstitutions in the 71st & 78th minute bringing on Cambiasso and Cruz for Riquelme and Crespo.

Now i say it’s a tactical mistake becuase just two minutes later Klose scored for the Germans and now all of a sudden Argentina lack the option up front because Cambiasso is a holding midfield man as oppose to the creative Riquelme and Cruz simply is no match for Crespo.

I would have thought that Pekerman with the knowledge of his side leading just by a single goal
would have brought on Lionel Messi to torment the German defence, afterall the Germans were risking everything in going foward as the match drew to and end and Messi could have taken advantage of that with his speed and skills…but there you go..it didn’t happen and Argentina now bow out of the tournament after many many people tipping them to finally bring the Cup back home to Argentina.

AWWwwwwwwwww

The game ended 1-1 in 90 minutes and even at extra time,so it was down to penalties and Argentina without Riquelme,Crespo and the injured Roberto Abbondanzieri must have felt jaded.

Germany took advantage of that and their hero of the moment is Jens Lehmann who produced saves from Ayala and Cambiasso.

Good showing of resilience by the Germans and bye bye to Argentina.

Game Review on Soccernet