June 24: The Daily World Cup Wrap

Yes! The knockout stage is here. Germany took it very literally and knocked Sweden out in less than a quarter of an hour, while Argentina and Mexico gave us our first bit of extra time in their magnificent encounter. The best way to look at extra time is like an added World Cup bonus, a bit of extra action you didn’t know you were getting.

Daily Wrap Awards:

Top Man: Has to be Jurgen Klinsmann.

Top Team: Germany. Unstoppable.

Top Goal: Maxi Rodriguez. A goal good enough to win a great game.

Bit of Skill: Take your pick from the Argentina vs Mexico game. I pick Pineda’s 86th minute nutmeg.

Saw That Coming: Germany beating Sweden.

But Not That: Germany beating Sweden in 12 minutes.

Germany vs Sweden | LiveBlog | Germany World Cup Gear, Sweden World Cup Gear

Germany 2 (Podolski 4, 12)
Sweden 0

The hosts breezed into the last eight by disposing of Sweden inside 12 minutes. Klose turned two defenders and shot at Isaksson in the 4th minute. The Swedish keeper’s parry fell to Podolski, who gladly gave his side an early lead. Eight minutes later Podolski played one two with Klose before striking home left footed. All of a sudden these two look like a fearsome partnership.

Sweden’s cause wasn’t helped when Teddy Lucic was harshly sent off after two harsh booking. Sadly, that’s becoming a familiar story at this World Cup.

Sweden’s last ray of hope came in the 53rd minute, when Larsson went down in the box under a Metzelder challenge. Larsson took the penalty himself, but will regret doing so as he missed the target completely. A terrible end to Larrson’s international career.

Germany’s attacking football was mighty impressive, as they continued the assault on Isaksson for near enough 90 minutes. The doubting voices around Jurgen Klinsmann and his team are almost inaudible now.

Video highlights here.

Fan Photo: Germany and Sweden fans…

• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the Germany or Sweden team pages. .
• Buy World Cup tickets to Germany’s next match.

Argentina vs Mexico | LiveBlog | Argentina World Cup Gear, Mexico World Cup Gear

Argentina 2 (Crespo 10, Rodriguez 98)
Mexico 1 (Marquez 6)
aet

Probably the best game of the tournament so far, as both teams showed off their crisp passing and an array of skills to produce a thrilling end to end game. You could tell from the way the Mexican players and fans sang the national anthem they meant business, and Rafa Marquez (or El Capitane Rafa, as my Univision commentator called him) confirmed this when he poked home from close range after 6 minutes. Crespo equalised just four minutes later with what looked like an instinctive bit of finishing, though replays revealed the ball came off Jared Borgetti’s head. Either way, the scores were level.

A lesser team would have been deflated by surrendering such an early lead, but Mexico kept passing and kept playing, as did Argentina, all the way to the 90th minute and extra time.

Such a game deserves a jaw-dropping winner and Maxi Rodriguez supplied it. From outside the box he took the ball down with his chest and unleashed a magnificent left footed volley that Oswaldo Sanchez could do nothing about.

Mexico out in the second round again, but the team will leave with their heads held high after going toe to toe with Argentina for 120 minutes. They’ll be missed, and not just for Lavolpe’s dragon tie.

Video highlights here.

Fan Photo:

• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the Argentina or Mexico team pages. .
• Buy World Cup tickets to Argentina’s next match.