World Cup 2006: Day 16
Back in Nashville now! I did miss the live telecast of the Germany v Sweden game but I did arrive in time to catch the second half of the Argentina v Mexico clash. Nevertheless, let's start with the World Cup hosts.
Germany came out as firm favorites in their game against Sweden, and started game exactly like that! Slick passing and impressive movement off the ball had the Swedish defence in all kinds of trouble early. 20 year old phenom Lukas Podolski ensured that the early German pressure would not go unrewarded as he struck twice inside the first 20 minutes! A left footed blast from 25 yards being the highlight of his two strikes! Sensational finishing from the German prodigy and the hosts were up 2-0. Sweden were up against it from the beginning, but surely this was too much of a mountain for them to climb. To compound Sweden's troubles, defender Teddy Lucic was sent off in the 35th minute for his second bookable offence. The Germans controlled the rest of the game, without unnecessary fuss and finished off the game with customary efficiency. Sweden had their best chance in the 53rd minute when Henrik Larsson was unable to convert a penalty kick, but apart from that, did not largely trouble the German goal. The hosts cruise into the second round with another impressive performance and have sounded a warning to all the other title contenders with this demolition of Sweden. They will now face the winner of the second game of the day, Argentina v Mexico, in the quarter finals.
Argentina were easily the best side of the group stages, and Mexico the clear underdogs in this clash between two Latin-styled teams. Mexico were the brighter team at the start, and captain Rafael Marquez gave them a dream start when he bundled in from close range after just 5 minutes! Stunning! The Argentines trailed for the first time in this competition. However, they bounced back within 5 minutes as Hernan Crespo got on the end of a Riquelme corner and the ball ended up in the Mexico net after taking a deflection of a Mexican defender. 1-1 and only 10 minutes gone in the match! This game had classic written all over it and did not disappoint. Both teams passed the ball around nicely, though neither set of forwards were able to get clear-cut chances as the defences tightened up after the loose beginning. Argenitna brought on impressive substitutes Carlos Tevez, Pablo Aimar and teenage star Lionel Messi in the second half as the looked to push for the winning goal. Tevez had a terrific goal disallowed incorrectly for the linesman in the 85th minute, and extra time was forced. 8 minutes into the first period of extra time, Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez chested a ball down on the right edge of the penalty area and unleashed an unstoppable left-footed volley that crashed into the far corner of Mexico's goal!!! Best goal of the tournament by far!!!! The wonder strike gave Argentina the crucial edge, and they were able to hang on to it as the Mexicans were visibly disheartened by the Argentine goal. 2-1 it ended and heartbreak for a gutsy Mexican team but they were beaten by an absolute beauty of a goal and can take heart from their overall performance. Argentina will move on to face Germany in the quarterfinals in what will surely be a mouthwatering clash!! The absolutely massive games are truly underway now!
Germany came out as firm favorites in their game against Sweden, and started game exactly like that! Slick passing and impressive movement off the ball had the Swedish defence in all kinds of trouble early. 20 year old phenom Lukas Podolski ensured that the early German pressure would not go unrewarded as he struck twice inside the first 20 minutes! A left footed blast from 25 yards being the highlight of his two strikes! Sensational finishing from the German prodigy and the hosts were up 2-0. Sweden were up against it from the beginning, but surely this was too much of a mountain for them to climb. To compound Sweden's troubles, defender Teddy Lucic was sent off in the 35th minute for his second bookable offence. The Germans controlled the rest of the game, without unnecessary fuss and finished off the game with customary efficiency. Sweden had their best chance in the 53rd minute when Henrik Larsson was unable to convert a penalty kick, but apart from that, did not largely trouble the German goal. The hosts cruise into the second round with another impressive performance and have sounded a warning to all the other title contenders with this demolition of Sweden. They will now face the winner of the second game of the day, Argentina v Mexico, in the quarter finals.
Argentina were easily the best side of the group stages, and Mexico the clear underdogs in this clash between two Latin-styled teams. Mexico were the brighter team at the start, and captain Rafael Marquez gave them a dream start when he bundled in from close range after just 5 minutes! Stunning! The Argentines trailed for the first time in this competition. However, they bounced back within 5 minutes as Hernan Crespo got on the end of a Riquelme corner and the ball ended up in the Mexico net after taking a deflection of a Mexican defender. 1-1 and only 10 minutes gone in the match! This game had classic written all over it and did not disappoint. Both teams passed the ball around nicely, though neither set of forwards were able to get clear-cut chances as the defences tightened up after the loose beginning. Argenitna brought on impressive substitutes Carlos Tevez, Pablo Aimar and teenage star Lionel Messi in the second half as the looked to push for the winning goal. Tevez had a terrific goal disallowed incorrectly for the linesman in the 85th minute, and extra time was forced. 8 minutes into the first period of extra time, Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez chested a ball down on the right edge of the penalty area and unleashed an unstoppable left-footed volley that crashed into the far corner of Mexico's goal!!! Best goal of the tournament by far!!!! The wonder strike gave Argentina the crucial edge, and they were able to hang on to it as the Mexicans were visibly disheartened by the Argentine goal. 2-1 it ended and heartbreak for a gutsy Mexican team but they were beaten by an absolute beauty of a goal and can take heart from their overall performance. Argentina will move on to face Germany in the quarterfinals in what will surely be a mouthwatering clash!! The absolutely massive games are truly underway now!
posted by Manoj at
10:01 AM
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