If the first quarter-final game of the Soccer World Cup is any indication of what is to come, soccer fans around the world are in for a treat. Germany needed overtime and penalty kicks to beat Argentina and advance to the semi-finals of Germany 2006.
After a scoreless first half, Argentina scored in the first 5 minutes of the second half. Ayala headed in a corner cross to put the Argentinians up by one.
In the 70th minute, the Argentina defenders signalled the referee as the Germans were setting up for a kick outside the penalty area. They asked him to stop time as Abbondanzieri, their goalie, was injured and needed to be subbed. He had collided with a German forward during a corner attempt 5 minutes earlier and appeared to have injured his left midrift area.
Leonardo Franco, who had not played a single minute in Germany 2006, replaced the injured keeper. The subsequent German kick was shot well over the soccer goal and never tested the fresh Franco.
Two minutes later the Argentinians broke 3 men through the German backline after an errant pass by a German defender. Luckily for the Germans the Argentina shot hit the side of the net.
Germany tied the game in the 80th minute. Ballack crossed the ball from the left into the penalty area. Borowski headed the ball towards the right post and Klose headed the soccer ball into the left corner of the net.
Prior to the German goal, Argentina had subbed out midfielder Riquelme and attacker Crespo, probably to bolster their defense and prevent a goal from the Germans.
The score remained tied so the teams headed into an extra 30 minutes of play in Germany 2006. While both teams had some good chance, they just couldn’t put the ball in the game.
Ballack, who had collided with a Argentinian player in the latter stages of the game, made a brilliant through pass in the 25th minute of overtime, and then headed to the touchline in pain. Despite being a man up for 2 minutes Argentina pressed but were unable to score.
After 30 minutes of overtime, the game went to penalty kicks. Both Neuville and Cruz scored on the first kicks for each side. Ballack scored for Germany and then Lehman saved Ayala’s shot. Podolski and Rodriquez scored. Borowski of Germany scored to make it 4-2 putting the pressure squarely on Cambiasso’s shoulders. Cambiasso had to score or this World Cup game was over. Lehman again stopped the shot and the fans erupted in the stands. World Cup Match Summary
Germany advances to the semi-finals of Germany 2006 and will play the winner of the Italy vs Ukraine game. The last time the German team lost on penalty kicks was in the Finals of the European Soccer Championships in 1976. It’s as if it’s in the mindset of all German soccer players that they will win if a game goes to penalty kicks.