Quarter-finals
Germany 1, Argentina 1Racked with exhaustion, its leader hobbled by cramps and fatigue, Germany summoned its last reserve of energy.
Showing there's no end to their resourcefulness and tenacity at this World Cup, the hosts beat Argentina 4-2 in a shootout on Friday after a grueling 1-1 draw. Moments after he sat on the pitch at the end of a goal-less extra time, captain Michael Ballack converted a penalty kick to help dispatch an old rival -- and one of the tournament's fellow glamor teams.
PHOTO: AP
While Germany took advantage of Argentina's backup goalkeeper Leonardo Franco with one penalty kick after another, veteran Jens Lehmann stopped two, putting Germany in the semifinals of the World Cup.
"It's a thriller, like a Hitchcock movie," Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann said.
"Obviously you're the happiest person in the world if you win it, and the saddest if you lose," he said.
PHOTO: AFP
The party heads to Dortmund for the semifinal on Tuesday against Italy, with Germany riding a feeling of near-invincibility. The Germans, looking like world beaters after their toughest test, are seeking their fourth world title.
Argentina heads home exhausted, despite controlling the ball for most of the match.
"It was a very emotional game, worth a quarter-final," said Argentina coach Jose Pekerman, who resigned after the game.
"Argentina played like a favorite, played well, even though they lost," he said.
Argentina, which came into the game having lived up to its reputation with creative, free-flowing offense, played tentatively in the first half, but led 1-0 early in the second on Roberto Ayala's soaring header in the 49th minute.
But rather than panic after falling behind for the first time in the tournament, the Germans relentlessly wore down Argentina from there. Germany pressed the attack on Franco, who was playing only his third game with Argentina and his first minutes of the World Cup.
Regular goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri went out after a collision with Miroslav Klose in the 71st minute. Nine minutes later, Klose's header tied it.
Ballack lofted a cross into the penalty area. Substitute Tim Borowski blindly headed it across the goalmouth for Klose, who cut inside a defender, dived toward the net and headed it past Franco into the far corner.
This was the most anticipated match of the World Cup so far, pairing two powers who have split two meetings in the World Cup title game. It was Germany's resurgent offense against the team that scored two of the most spectacular goals of the tournament.
But if this was the classic soccer so many hoped for, it was a major disappointment early -- even the 72,000 fans seemed let down, and the usual fervor was missing.
The visitors controlled the ball for two-thirds of the first half, and even though they created few chances on goal -- the dangerous Hernan Crespo was invisible -- they dictated a slower pace that frustrated the Germans. Ballack began limping midway through the half, and Klose, the leading scorer in the tournament, touched the ball just a couple of times.
That changed as the drama built, right into the shootout.
"We knew it was going to be very, very tough. These were the strongest two teams so far," Klinsmann said.
The shootout was completely lopsided, however.
Oliver Neuville, Ballack, Lukas Podolski and Borowski had no trouble scoring on Franco. Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso were stopped by Lehmann, who guessed correctly on both saves -- and nearly saved another.
"We have a strong belief in Jens Lehmann," Klinsmann said.
"As a former striker, I don't want to face him, and he proved that," he said.
When Lehmann made the final save by diving to his left, the German players, who had been standing arm-in-arm on the field, sprinted to mob him. The crowd, which less than an hour before sensed an early end with their team down 1-0, erupted with singing, flag-waving and chants.
Several players twirled towels and their jerseys as they toured the Olympic Stadium pitch in exultation.
"I don't live in Germany, so I am really enjoying this, seeing how the fans are celebrating with us," Lehmann said.
The Argentines trudged off with a painful defeat. The end was marred by pushing and shoving on the field, and Germany assistant coach Oliver Bierhoff said, "Per Mertesacker was struck with full force in the leg by an Argentine reserve player, he was on the ground, the players started going for each other."
Argentina's Leandro Cufre, who did not play, was given a red card after the shootout.
By the end of extra time, the limping Ballack didn't have much left, and was unable to chase loose balls.
"I would have gone out, but we already made three substitutions. So I had to tough it out," said Ballack, who was cramping up.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely