Jul 3. In quarter-finals, Germany hammered Argentina 4-0 with a header from Müller (3), two goals from Klose (68, 89) and one from Friedrich (74).
Goals. Argentina lined up: Romero; Otamendi (70, Pastore), Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze; Maxi Rodríguez, Mascherano, Di María (75 Kun Agüero); Messi, Higuaín, Tévez. Argentine defense slept in the first play of the game and Germany found the game they dreamed from the beginning: counterattack . Argentina didn't have any clear chance of goal in whole game. Messi didn't show and Otamendi played a very forgettable game.Local championship start on Friday, August 6th.
Jun 27. In eighth-finals, Argentina beat Mexico 3-1 with goals from Tévez in offside (25), 'Pipita' Higuaín (33) after a big mistake from Mexican defender Osorio and Tévez again from 25 metres (52). 'Chicharito' Hernández closed the gap for Mexican team (71).
Goals. Argentina lined up: Romero; Otamendi, Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze; Maxi Rodríguez (87, Pastore), Mascherano, Di María (79, Jonás Gutiérrez); Messi, Higuaín, Tévez (69, Verón). When the game was closed, Argentina could take profit from assistant referee's and Mexican defender's mistakes. Then, with a three goal advantage, they gave the ball to Mexico and coudn't find a good counter-attack. Tévez was the best player and Messi, Maxi and Di María didn't have a good game today.
Jun 22. In the last game of Group B, Argentina beat Greece 2-0 with goals from Demichelis (77) and Palermo (89).
Goals. Argentina lined up: Romero; Otamendi, Burdisso, Demichelis, Clemente Rodríguez; Maxi Rodríguez (63, Di María), Bolatti, Verón; Messi, Agüero (76, Pastore), Diego Milito (80 Palermo). Argentina played knowing that the ticket to eighth-finals were almost in the pocket. They had the control of the game during all 90', never got desperate and the substitutions were effective. Greece never looked for the victory.
Jun 17. In the second game of Group B, Argentina hammered South Korea 4-1. Park Chu-Young opened the scoring from an own goal (16) after Messi's free kick from the left. Higuaín extended the advantage from a header (32). Lee Chung-Young closed the gap after Demichelis' mistake (45).
First half goals. In second half, Higuaín scored again (76 -offside- and 80 -header-).
Second half goals. Argentina lined up: Romero; Jonás Gutiérrez, Demichelis, Samuel (23, Burdisso), Heinze; Maxi Rodríguez, Mascherano, Di María; Higuaín (81, Bolatti), Messi, Tévez (75, Kun Agüero). Jonás Gutiérrez saw the second yellow card and won't play against Greece. Mascherano and Heinze were also cautioned.
Argentina played a great first half, controlling the game without desperation, and made a good difference. But Demichelis' mistake in injury time changed the plans. In second half, Korea had a pair of chances while Argentina was not so sharp and showed some defensive gaps. Kun Agüero gave fresh air to the team and Higuaín could resolve the match. Higuaín was the best player (a hat trick in a World Cup is not so easy).
Jun 12. In the first game of Group B, Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0 with a header from Heinze at
6th minute. Argentina lined up: Romero; Jonás Gutiérrez, Demichelis, Samuel, Heinze; Verón (74th Maxi Rodríguez), Mascherano, Di María (85th Burdisso); Higuaín (79th D.Milito), Messi, Tévez. Argentina looked for the goal from the first minute and found it very early. Then they stayed in the back waiting for the chance of a counter-attack. Messi was the best player, brilliant in the speed dribbling, but no so precise when defining. Jonás Gutiérrez, Higuaín and Di María were the weakest players of a National Team who played better than in Preliminary Round but we still expect more from them.
May 29. The numbers of jerseys for World Cup are confirmed although the official list will be presented to FIFA on June 1st: 1-Pozo (COL), 2-Demichelis (BMU-GER), 3-Clemente Rodríguez (EST), 4-Burdisso (ROM-ITA), 5-Bolatti (FIO-ITA), 6-Heinze (OLI-FRA), 7-Di María (BEN-POR), 8-Verón (EST), 9-Higuaín (RMA-SPA), 10-Messi (BAR-SPA), 11-Tévez (MCI-ENG), 12-Garcé (COL), 13-Samuel (INT-ITA), 14-Mascherano (LIV-ENG), 15-Otamendi (VEL), 16-Kun Agüero (AMA-SPA), 17-Jonás Gutiérrez (NEW-ENG), 18-Palermo (BOC), 19-Diego Milito (INT-ITA), 20-Maxi Rodríguez (LIV-ENG), 21-Andújar (CAT-ITA), 22-Romero (AZA-NED), 23-Pastore (PAL-ITA).