Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
GERMANY 0 - 2 a.e.t. ITALY
GERMANY 0-2 a.e.t. ITALY
4 July 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
German dreams of reaching the FIFA World Cup™ Final died in Dortmund as two goals in the final moments of extra time carried Italy into the Final as 2-0 semi-final winners on Tuesday, 4 July 2006.
With a penalty shoot-out looming, Fabio Grosso broke the deadlock in the 119th minute as he curled a left-footed shot past the despairing dive of Jens Lehmann from the right side of the penalty box. Substitute Alessandro Del Piero made sure of Italy's place in the Final when he beat Lehmann from close range in added time at the end of the extra period.
Italy now advance to their first FIFA World Cup Final since 1994 and their sixth overall. They will face the winners of Wednesday's Portugal-France semi-final in Berlin's Olympiastadion on Sunday, 24 hours after Germany have contested third place with the losers of that match in Stuttgart.
The match:
5’: In a quick-paced, keenly-contested opening to this match, the first effort on goal came from the Italians, with Francesco Totti firing in a 30-yard free-kick that skipped up off the wall and, with Germans hearts in mouths, landed in the arms of a grateful Jens Lehmann.
8’: Terrific close control from Miroslav Klose helped create Germany’s first chance of the match, with Lukas Podolski picking up from his strike partner and teeing up Michael Ballack for a right-shoot shot that swerved wide of the right-hand post.
12’:With the atmosphere electric inside the FIFA World Cup Stadium Dortmund, Germany gave their fans yet more to cheer with a sharp attack that ended with Podolski rifling in a powerful shot well blocked by the ever-reliable Fabio Cannavaro.
16’: Having played some neat possession football in the opening quarter-of-an-hour, Italy carved out their first opportunity of note when a defence-splitting Totti pass sent Simone Perrotta racing in on goal. The Roma midfielder’s touch was heavy enough, however, to allow Lehmann to race alertly from his goal and smother at the on-rushing Italian's feet.
29’: Italy again went close, this time with a well-worked free-kick that saw Mauro Camoranesi tee up Totti for a right-foot shot that looked to be heading for the net before it was blocked by the massed ranks of German defenders.
34’: A glorious opportunity went a-begging for the hosts after Klose threaded through Bernd Schneider, unmarked and bearing down on goal on the right-hand edge of the box. The in-form midfielder’s shot didn’t lack for power, either, but it fizzed over the crossbar, albeit by no more than a few inches. The German fans responded by raising the decibel level yet further.
41’: Italy, having weathered a storm of German attacks, began to create some half-chances of their own, the best of which saw Camoranesi head just over from an inviting, outswinging Andrea Pirlo free-kick.
50’: The hosts began the second half at a remarkable tempo and Klose, in typically dynamic, positive fashion, bulldozed his way through the heart of Italy’s defence only to be denied by the bravery of Buffon, who dived to save at the striker’s feet.
51’: Play immediately flowed to the other end, where an incisive through ball from Perrotta picked out Grosso, who had run from deep to spring the German offside trap. However, the full-back then appeared to be caught in two minds as he found himself in unfamiliar territory, and with the goal at his mercy, he delayed pulling the trigger long enough to allow Lehmann to swoop in and make the save.
61’: Podolski created a chance out of nothing, turning Materazzi inside-out to leave himself with a clear shot of goal, eight yards out. His shot was well struck, but for the umpteenth time at Germany 2006, Buffon came to Italy’s rescue with a superb reflex save. From the rebound, Arne Friedrich blazed over, and another glorious chance had passed the hosts by.
73’: Having watched his side dominate the second half, but appear to run out of ideas in the final third, Jurgen Klinsmann reversed the change he made to his starting line-up by bringing off Tim Borowski and putting on the more attack-minded Bastian Schweinsteiger.
78’: A long period of inactivity for both goalkeepers ended when Lehmann was called upon to deal with a speculative long-range effort from Pirlo, a task he performed with impressive self-assurance.
82’: Michael Ballack wasted a promisingly-positioned free-kick, curling high and wide from the edge of the penalty area after Cannavaro was adjudged to have fouled Podolski. Seconds later, Klinsmann attempted to inject pace into his team’s attacking play by thrusting on David Odonkor in place of Schneider.
85’: Perrotta looked to have broken clear of the German defence with a perfectly-timed run, but Lehmann was smartly off his line and took no prisoners as he confidently fisted the ball to safety.
Extra-time
91’: Within a minute of extra-time kicking off, Alberto Gilardino came closer than anyone before to breaking the deadlock. Bursting in from the right, he made his way to the byline before jinking back on to his left foot and squeezing in a shot that beat Lehmann only to come back off the inside of the keeper’s left-hand post. Germany breathed again.
92’: Less than 60 seconds later, a corner was only half-cleared and Italy rattled the woodwork for the second time in a minute, with Gianluca Zambrotta smacking in a sweetly-struck 20-yard drive that left the crossbar shuddering on its way over.
105’: With the last touch of the first half of extra-time, Podolski spurned a glorious opportunity, heading wide Odonkor’s cross from a terrific position, unmarked, 10 yards from goal.
108’: Neither side was settling for penalty kicks and, after substitute Vicenzo Iaquinta had nearly burst through on goal at one end, Phillip Lahm curled just wide from 20 yards at the other.
111’: An incredible moment of tension appeared to pass in slow motion as another Italy substitute, Del Piero, found himself faced with Lehmann but just couldn’t find the angle to squeeze the ball home.
112’: Germany then swept immediately to the other end, where Podolski, on the left-hand edge of the penalty box, forced a magnificent one-handed tip-over from Buffon.
114’: With the action now more entertaining that at any stage of the match, some neat built-up play in and around the German box ended with Del Piero hooking a disappointing right-foot shot wide of the far post from 20 yards.
116’: With the seconds ticking down to a penalty shoot-out, Odonkor surged forward and tried his luck from distance, but his sliced right-foot shot flashed well wide of Buffon's left-hand post.
118’: Pirlo drifted in from the right and forced a superb save from Lehmann with a ferocious left-foot shot from 25 yards.
119’: The German keeper could only divert the ball round the post, however, and from the resultant corner, Pirlo gathered possession at the edge of the box and teed up Grosso for a superb first-time left-foot shot that curled just inside the far post.
120+1’: As the hosts pushed desperately for an equaliser, a slick and speedy Italian breakaway ended with Gilardino playing a sublime reverse pass into the path of Del Piero. Opening out his body, the Juventus striker’s finish was nothing short of perfect, with the ball sent arcing into the postage stamp corner. Italy were through.
In conclusion
Only a couple of superbly-executed Italian goals could separate these two very evenly-matched teams on a night of high drama in Dortmund. Once again, Marcello Lippi’s side defended magnificently and the superb Gianluigi Buffon has still to concede a goal at Germany 2006 from an opposition player. However, while it is the Azzurri who march on to the Final, Germany - beaten in Dortmund for the first time ever - can reflect on their FIFA World Cup™ campaign with pride, having played throughout with spirit and skill in abundance.
4 July 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
German dreams of reaching the FIFA World Cup™ Final died in Dortmund as two goals in the final moments of extra time carried Italy into the Final as 2-0 semi-final winners on Tuesday, 4 July 2006.
With a penalty shoot-out looming, Fabio Grosso broke the deadlock in the 119th minute as he curled a left-footed shot past the despairing dive of Jens Lehmann from the right side of the penalty box. Substitute Alessandro Del Piero made sure of Italy's place in the Final when he beat Lehmann from close range in added time at the end of the extra period.
Italy now advance to their first FIFA World Cup Final since 1994 and their sixth overall. They will face the winners of Wednesday's Portugal-France semi-final in Berlin's Olympiastadion on Sunday, 24 hours after Germany have contested third place with the losers of that match in Stuttgart.
The match:
5’: In a quick-paced, keenly-contested opening to this match, the first effort on goal came from the Italians, with Francesco Totti firing in a 30-yard free-kick that skipped up off the wall and, with Germans hearts in mouths, landed in the arms of a grateful Jens Lehmann.
8’: Terrific close control from Miroslav Klose helped create Germany’s first chance of the match, with Lukas Podolski picking up from his strike partner and teeing up Michael Ballack for a right-shoot shot that swerved wide of the right-hand post.
12’:With the atmosphere electric inside the FIFA World Cup Stadium Dortmund, Germany gave their fans yet more to cheer with a sharp attack that ended with Podolski rifling in a powerful shot well blocked by the ever-reliable Fabio Cannavaro.
16’: Having played some neat possession football in the opening quarter-of-an-hour, Italy carved out their first opportunity of note when a defence-splitting Totti pass sent Simone Perrotta racing in on goal. The Roma midfielder’s touch was heavy enough, however, to allow Lehmann to race alertly from his goal and smother at the on-rushing Italian's feet.
29’: Italy again went close, this time with a well-worked free-kick that saw Mauro Camoranesi tee up Totti for a right-foot shot that looked to be heading for the net before it was blocked by the massed ranks of German defenders.
34’: A glorious opportunity went a-begging for the hosts after Klose threaded through Bernd Schneider, unmarked and bearing down on goal on the right-hand edge of the box. The in-form midfielder’s shot didn’t lack for power, either, but it fizzed over the crossbar, albeit by no more than a few inches. The German fans responded by raising the decibel level yet further.
41’: Italy, having weathered a storm of German attacks, began to create some half-chances of their own, the best of which saw Camoranesi head just over from an inviting, outswinging Andrea Pirlo free-kick.
50’: The hosts began the second half at a remarkable tempo and Klose, in typically dynamic, positive fashion, bulldozed his way through the heart of Italy’s defence only to be denied by the bravery of Buffon, who dived to save at the striker’s feet.
51’: Play immediately flowed to the other end, where an incisive through ball from Perrotta picked out Grosso, who had run from deep to spring the German offside trap. However, the full-back then appeared to be caught in two minds as he found himself in unfamiliar territory, and with the goal at his mercy, he delayed pulling the trigger long enough to allow Lehmann to swoop in and make the save.
61’: Podolski created a chance out of nothing, turning Materazzi inside-out to leave himself with a clear shot of goal, eight yards out. His shot was well struck, but for the umpteenth time at Germany 2006, Buffon came to Italy’s rescue with a superb reflex save. From the rebound, Arne Friedrich blazed over, and another glorious chance had passed the hosts by.
73’: Having watched his side dominate the second half, but appear to run out of ideas in the final third, Jurgen Klinsmann reversed the change he made to his starting line-up by bringing off Tim Borowski and putting on the more attack-minded Bastian Schweinsteiger.
78’: A long period of inactivity for both goalkeepers ended when Lehmann was called upon to deal with a speculative long-range effort from Pirlo, a task he performed with impressive self-assurance.
82’: Michael Ballack wasted a promisingly-positioned free-kick, curling high and wide from the edge of the penalty area after Cannavaro was adjudged to have fouled Podolski. Seconds later, Klinsmann attempted to inject pace into his team’s attacking play by thrusting on David Odonkor in place of Schneider.
85’: Perrotta looked to have broken clear of the German defence with a perfectly-timed run, but Lehmann was smartly off his line and took no prisoners as he confidently fisted the ball to safety.
Extra-time
91’: Within a minute of extra-time kicking off, Alberto Gilardino came closer than anyone before to breaking the deadlock. Bursting in from the right, he made his way to the byline before jinking back on to his left foot and squeezing in a shot that beat Lehmann only to come back off the inside of the keeper’s left-hand post. Germany breathed again.
92’: Less than 60 seconds later, a corner was only half-cleared and Italy rattled the woodwork for the second time in a minute, with Gianluca Zambrotta smacking in a sweetly-struck 20-yard drive that left the crossbar shuddering on its way over.
105’: With the last touch of the first half of extra-time, Podolski spurned a glorious opportunity, heading wide Odonkor’s cross from a terrific position, unmarked, 10 yards from goal.
108’: Neither side was settling for penalty kicks and, after substitute Vicenzo Iaquinta had nearly burst through on goal at one end, Phillip Lahm curled just wide from 20 yards at the other.
111’: An incredible moment of tension appeared to pass in slow motion as another Italy substitute, Del Piero, found himself faced with Lehmann but just couldn’t find the angle to squeeze the ball home.
112’: Germany then swept immediately to the other end, where Podolski, on the left-hand edge of the penalty box, forced a magnificent one-handed tip-over from Buffon.
114’: With the action now more entertaining that at any stage of the match, some neat built-up play in and around the German box ended with Del Piero hooking a disappointing right-foot shot wide of the far post from 20 yards.
116’: With the seconds ticking down to a penalty shoot-out, Odonkor surged forward and tried his luck from distance, but his sliced right-foot shot flashed well wide of Buffon's left-hand post.
118’: Pirlo drifted in from the right and forced a superb save from Lehmann with a ferocious left-foot shot from 25 yards.
119’: The German keeper could only divert the ball round the post, however, and from the resultant corner, Pirlo gathered possession at the edge of the box and teed up Grosso for a superb first-time left-foot shot that curled just inside the far post.
120+1’: As the hosts pushed desperately for an equaliser, a slick and speedy Italian breakaway ended with Gilardino playing a sublime reverse pass into the path of Del Piero. Opening out his body, the Juventus striker’s finish was nothing short of perfect, with the ball sent arcing into the postage stamp corner. Italy were through.
In conclusion
Only a couple of superbly-executed Italian goals could separate these two very evenly-matched teams on a night of high drama in Dortmund. Once again, Marcello Lippi’s side defended magnificently and the superb Gianluigi Buffon has still to concede a goal at Germany 2006 from an opposition player. However, while it is the Azzurri who march on to the Final, Germany - beaten in Dortmund for the first time ever - can reflect on their FIFA World Cup™ campaign with pride, having played throughout with spirit and skill in abundance.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Quarter - Finals Game 1, GERMANY 1 - 1 ARGENTINA a.e.t 4-2 PSO
We will not Forget that Argentina played well and deserve respect
Friday, June 30, 2006
GERMANY 1 - 1 ARGENTINA a.e.t 4-2 PSO
GERMANY 1-1 ARGENTINA a.e.t 4-2 PSO
30 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
Germany advance to the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ semi-finals after triumphing 4-2 over Argentina in a penalty shoot-out after a tight, tense match in Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Friday, 30 July 2006 ended locked at 1-1.
It proved impossible to separate these sides during normal time, with 120 minutes only able to conjure up a couple of goals, Miroslav Klose’s 80th-minute equaliser cancelling out a 49th-minute opening goal from Roberto Ayala.
That left the match to be settled by penalties, and it was Jens Lehmann who proved the hosts’ hero, saving from both Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso, while Oliver Neuville, Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski and Tim Borowski all successfully dispatched their spot kicks past Argentina’s substitute goalkeeper Leo Franco.
The match:
7’:After a tense, niggly opening to the game, punctuated regularly by the shrill blast of referee Lubos Michels’ whistle, the first chance fell to the hosts, with Roberto Abbondanzieri spilling a 25-yard Lukas Podolski free-kick only to gather nervously at the second attempt.
16’: Michael Ballack passed up a superb chance to give Germany the lead, heading wide of the right-hand post from 16 yards after timing his run to perfection to charge in on a beautifully-weighted cross from Bernd Schneider.
19’: Argentina, for whom Carlos Tevez was making a lively contribution to his second start of Germany 2006, forced their first and only half-chance of the opening 45 when marauding left-back Juan Pablo Sorin burst through on to a Tevez nutmeg and was only prevented from teeing up Hernan Crespo for the opener by a timely interception from Per Mertesacker.
45': With the action fast, furious but all too often lacking in quality, the teams went into the half-time break without either goalkeeper having been called into any meaningful action for the best part of half-an-hour. The fans’ muted response to the half-time whistle betrayed their disappointment with the first-half fare, which had fallen some way short of expectations.
Ayala’s opener
49’: After a goalless opening 45 minutes, the deadlock was broken soon after the restart. Riquelme swung in a corner from the right, Ayala got in front of Klose and met the ball with a header, which evaded the dive of Jens Lehmann and Philipp Lahm on the near post.
64’: Germany won two corners in quick succession, with the second leading to a genuine scoring chance for Michael Ballack after Roberto Abbondanzieri failed to claim the ball. Ballack’s shot was blocked and then a follow-up header by the Germany captain was claimed gratefully by the goalkeeper.
71’: Abbondanzieri was replaced by Leonardo Franco in the Argentina goal. Seven minutes earlier, the Boca Juniors goalkeeper received a blow to his hip from Miroslav Klose. Despite extensive treatment from the Argentina physio, the change had to be made.
73’: Argentina came close to doubling the advantage when Lahm’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Tevez. After the diminutive forward dribbled past the German defence, he slid the ball to Maxi Rodriguez, who fired the ball into the side netting.
80’: With the Albiceleste looking as if they would protect their single-goal lead until the interval, Germany equalised. Ballack’s ball from the left was nodded down by Tim Borowski and Klose headed home his fifth of the tournament.
89’: Argentina threatened when Luis Gonzalez’s header arrowed towards the right-hand corner of the net. Jens Lehmann made a fine one-handed save at full-stretch, but a goal would not have counted as Tevez, lurking in the hope of a rebound, was adjudged to be offside.
Extra time
105’: In the final action of the first half of extra time, Gonzalez hit a volley just wide of the target in a 15 minute period without an shot on goal.
106’: Straight from the restart, Tevez long-range effort was gathered the ball comfortably by Jens Lehmann.
113’: Another shot from distance, this time from Fabricio Coloccini, but his drive went well wide of the Germany goal. Two minutes later, the defender tried his luck again, but his right-footed effort clipped the top of the crossbar.
Penalties:
Jens Lehmann was the hero for Germany as his saves from Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso were crucial in the Nationalmannschaft’s progression to the semi-finals. The hosts had a 100 per cent success rate from the penalty spot, with Neuville, Ballack, Podolski and Borowski all converting.
In conclusion:
Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision to elect Lehmann as his number one for this FIFA World Cup appears to be justified by this result alone. His two saves have given Germany a place in the semi-finals, where they will meet Italy or Ukraine. For Argentina, who took the lead in this game, it will be a long journey home for a team which performed so well in the early stages of this tournament.
30 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
Germany advance to the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ semi-finals after triumphing 4-2 over Argentina in a penalty shoot-out after a tight, tense match in Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Friday, 30 July 2006 ended locked at 1-1.
It proved impossible to separate these sides during normal time, with 120 minutes only able to conjure up a couple of goals, Miroslav Klose’s 80th-minute equaliser cancelling out a 49th-minute opening goal from Roberto Ayala.
That left the match to be settled by penalties, and it was Jens Lehmann who proved the hosts’ hero, saving from both Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso, while Oliver Neuville, Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski and Tim Borowski all successfully dispatched their spot kicks past Argentina’s substitute goalkeeper Leo Franco.
The match:
7’:After a tense, niggly opening to the game, punctuated regularly by the shrill blast of referee Lubos Michels’ whistle, the first chance fell to the hosts, with Roberto Abbondanzieri spilling a 25-yard Lukas Podolski free-kick only to gather nervously at the second attempt.
16’: Michael Ballack passed up a superb chance to give Germany the lead, heading wide of the right-hand post from 16 yards after timing his run to perfection to charge in on a beautifully-weighted cross from Bernd Schneider.
19’: Argentina, for whom Carlos Tevez was making a lively contribution to his second start of Germany 2006, forced their first and only half-chance of the opening 45 when marauding left-back Juan Pablo Sorin burst through on to a Tevez nutmeg and was only prevented from teeing up Hernan Crespo for the opener by a timely interception from Per Mertesacker.
45': With the action fast, furious but all too often lacking in quality, the teams went into the half-time break without either goalkeeper having been called into any meaningful action for the best part of half-an-hour. The fans’ muted response to the half-time whistle betrayed their disappointment with the first-half fare, which had fallen some way short of expectations.
Ayala’s opener
49’: After a goalless opening 45 minutes, the deadlock was broken soon after the restart. Riquelme swung in a corner from the right, Ayala got in front of Klose and met the ball with a header, which evaded the dive of Jens Lehmann and Philipp Lahm on the near post.
64’: Germany won two corners in quick succession, with the second leading to a genuine scoring chance for Michael Ballack after Roberto Abbondanzieri failed to claim the ball. Ballack’s shot was blocked and then a follow-up header by the Germany captain was claimed gratefully by the goalkeeper.
71’: Abbondanzieri was replaced by Leonardo Franco in the Argentina goal. Seven minutes earlier, the Boca Juniors goalkeeper received a blow to his hip from Miroslav Klose. Despite extensive treatment from the Argentina physio, the change had to be made.
73’: Argentina came close to doubling the advantage when Lahm’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Tevez. After the diminutive forward dribbled past the German defence, he slid the ball to Maxi Rodriguez, who fired the ball into the side netting.
80’: With the Albiceleste looking as if they would protect their single-goal lead until the interval, Germany equalised. Ballack’s ball from the left was nodded down by Tim Borowski and Klose headed home his fifth of the tournament.
89’: Argentina threatened when Luis Gonzalez’s header arrowed towards the right-hand corner of the net. Jens Lehmann made a fine one-handed save at full-stretch, but a goal would not have counted as Tevez, lurking in the hope of a rebound, was adjudged to be offside.
Extra time
105’: In the final action of the first half of extra time, Gonzalez hit a volley just wide of the target in a 15 minute period without an shot on goal.
106’: Straight from the restart, Tevez long-range effort was gathered the ball comfortably by Jens Lehmann.
113’: Another shot from distance, this time from Fabricio Coloccini, but his drive went well wide of the Germany goal. Two minutes later, the defender tried his luck again, but his right-footed effort clipped the top of the crossbar.
Penalties:
Jens Lehmann was the hero for Germany as his saves from Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso were crucial in the Nationalmannschaft’s progression to the semi-finals. The hosts had a 100 per cent success rate from the penalty spot, with Neuville, Ballack, Podolski and Borowski all converting.
In conclusion:
Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision to elect Lehmann as his number one for this FIFA World Cup appears to be justified by this result alone. His two saves have given Germany a place in the semi-finals, where they will meet Italy or Ukraine. For Argentina, who took the lead in this game, it will be a long journey home for a team which performed so well in the early stages of this tournament.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
GERMANY 2 - 0 SWEDEN
GERMANY 2-0 SWEDEN
24 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
Germany advanced to the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals after two early goals from Lukas Podolski secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sweden on Saturday, 24 June 2006.
Jurgen Klinsmann's team did not look back once Podolski had fired them in front in the fourth minute and after the same player doubled their lead eight minutes later, only the excellence of Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson denied Germany further goals.
Sweden lost defender Teddy Lucic to a second yellow card after 35 minutes and their faint hopes of a comeback all but evaporated when Henrik Larsson blazed a penalty over the crossbar eight minutes into the second half.
Germany can now look forward to a quarter-final tie in Berlin next Friday against the winners of the Argentina-Mexico game.
The match
: 4': Germany were given the perfect start. Miroslav Klose turned cleverly between two defenders inside the box and although goalkeeper Isaksson blocked the initial effort, Podolski followed up to shoot home.
6': Fired up by the goal, Podolski sent a 25-yard strike inches over as the hosts went for an early kill.
8': In a frantic opening Sweden almost got back on level terms. Larsson turned his man on the edge of the area but could only find the side-netting with his shot.
12': The Swedes were made to pay for that miss. Klose ran across the edge of the box and played a subtle return pass right into the stride of Podolski, who steered his shot home, left-footed, for his second goal of the match.
18': Germany were looking dangerous with every attack. From another, Michael Ballack sent a 25-yard strike arrowing into the corner and Isaksson flung himself across goal to parry away.
31': The shots were raining down on Isaksson's goal and the keeper produced a magnificent save to tip a Klose poke around the post after the Werder Bremen striker had again produced a feint to trick his marker.
33': Torsten Frings, who had scored a wonderful goal in the opening match, had a 35-yarder tipped over. Seconds later, Isaksson was again throwing himself across goal as a cracking drive from Bastian Schweinsteiger whistled past his post.
35': Sweden's cause was weakened further when Lucic was received his second yellow card after grabbing hold of the elusive Klose.
40': Jens Lehman was finally given work to do, turning Ibrahimovic's shot around the post.
43': The Arsenal keeper was then happy to see Philipp Lahm clear the ball after he had collided with Mattias Jonson inside the box. The action soon switched back to the other end, however, where Isaksson was forced to turn Klose's 20-yard shot around the post.
Paying the penalty:
53' Sweden were presented with a glorious opportunity to reduce the arrears when Larsson was fouled in the box after good work down the left from Ibrahimovic. However, the veteran striker sent the penalty high over the bar.
55':Only a fantastic flying save from Isaksson prevented Germany from going three further ahead shortly afterwards. Ballack was again the player involved, buying himself a shooting position with a neat turn before sending a 25-yarder hurtling towards the corner.
72':Down a man, Sweden were trying everything to get back into the match - but without success. Ballack saw another shot from distance just clear the bar.
81': Desperate for a goal, the Chelsea-bound midfielder was left shaking his head again after the outstanding Isaksson saved a 20-yard piledriver with Klose heading the rebound over.
84': Still Germany kept coming. A fine three-man move ended with Bernd Schneider's shot being deflected onto the post. Next to test Isaksson's skills was substitute Oliver Neuville with a snapshot from inside the area minutes later.
In conclusion:
Helped by a lightning start, the hosts produced a magnificent display of attacking football to brush past a disappointing Sweden team. After conceding those early goals to Podolski, the Scandinavians' cause was not helped by a first-half sending off and Larsson's missed penalty and the two-goal margin could have been greater.
24 June 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com
Germany advanced to the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals after two early goals from Lukas Podolski secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sweden on Saturday, 24 June 2006.
Jurgen Klinsmann's team did not look back once Podolski had fired them in front in the fourth minute and after the same player doubled their lead eight minutes later, only the excellence of Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson denied Germany further goals.
Sweden lost defender Teddy Lucic to a second yellow card after 35 minutes and their faint hopes of a comeback all but evaporated when Henrik Larsson blazed a penalty over the crossbar eight minutes into the second half.
Germany can now look forward to a quarter-final tie in Berlin next Friday against the winners of the Argentina-Mexico game.
The match
: 4': Germany were given the perfect start. Miroslav Klose turned cleverly between two defenders inside the box and although goalkeeper Isaksson blocked the initial effort, Podolski followed up to shoot home.
6': Fired up by the goal, Podolski sent a 25-yard strike inches over as the hosts went for an early kill.
8': In a frantic opening Sweden almost got back on level terms. Larsson turned his man on the edge of the area but could only find the side-netting with his shot.
12': The Swedes were made to pay for that miss. Klose ran across the edge of the box and played a subtle return pass right into the stride of Podolski, who steered his shot home, left-footed, for his second goal of the match.
18': Germany were looking dangerous with every attack. From another, Michael Ballack sent a 25-yard strike arrowing into the corner and Isaksson flung himself across goal to parry away.
31': The shots were raining down on Isaksson's goal and the keeper produced a magnificent save to tip a Klose poke around the post after the Werder Bremen striker had again produced a feint to trick his marker.
33': Torsten Frings, who had scored a wonderful goal in the opening match, had a 35-yarder tipped over. Seconds later, Isaksson was again throwing himself across goal as a cracking drive from Bastian Schweinsteiger whistled past his post.
35': Sweden's cause was weakened further when Lucic was received his second yellow card after grabbing hold of the elusive Klose.
40': Jens Lehman was finally given work to do, turning Ibrahimovic's shot around the post.
43': The Arsenal keeper was then happy to see Philipp Lahm clear the ball after he had collided with Mattias Jonson inside the box. The action soon switched back to the other end, however, where Isaksson was forced to turn Klose's 20-yard shot around the post.
Paying the penalty:
53' Sweden were presented with a glorious opportunity to reduce the arrears when Larsson was fouled in the box after good work down the left from Ibrahimovic. However, the veteran striker sent the penalty high over the bar.
55':Only a fantastic flying save from Isaksson prevented Germany from going three further ahead shortly afterwards. Ballack was again the player involved, buying himself a shooting position with a neat turn before sending a 25-yarder hurtling towards the corner.
72':Down a man, Sweden were trying everything to get back into the match - but without success. Ballack saw another shot from distance just clear the bar.
81': Desperate for a goal, the Chelsea-bound midfielder was left shaking his head again after the outstanding Isaksson saved a 20-yard piledriver with Klose heading the rebound over.
84': Still Germany kept coming. A fine three-man move ended with Bernd Schneider's shot being deflected onto the post. Next to test Isaksson's skills was substitute Oliver Neuville with a snapshot from inside the area minutes later.
In conclusion:
Helped by a lightning start, the hosts produced a magnificent display of attacking football to brush past a disappointing Sweden team. After conceding those early goals to Podolski, the Scandinavians' cause was not helped by a first-half sending off and Larsson's missed penalty and the two-goal margin could have been greater.
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