World Cup today
A look at Day 22 of the 2006 World Cup on Friday:
Results
“Germany 1, Argentina 1 (Germany wins shootout 4-2, advances to semifinals)
“Italy 3, Ukraine 0 (Italy advances to semifinals)
Highlights
“Jens Lehmann stopped two penalty kicks in a shootout and all four Germans – Oliver Neuville, Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski and Tim Borowski – made theirs as the hosts advanced to the semifinals. Lehmann foiled Robert Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso. Argentina backup goalkeeper Leonardo Franco, who came on in the 71st minute when starter Roberto Abbondanzieri was injured, was beaten easily.
“Italy beat Ukraine to move into the final four as Luca Toni got his first two goals of the tournament and Gianluigi Buffon made several spectacular saves.
Stars
A good night for the winning keepers. Lehmann stopped two penalty kicks in a shootout and Germany defeated Argentina. Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon held off Ukraine with a few brilliant stops in a win.
History
“Germany has qualified for the World Cup semifinals 11 times: 1934, ‘54, ‘58, ‘66, ‘70, ‘74, ‘82, ‘86, ‘90, 2002 and 2006.
“Argentina had never lost a World Cup game that went into extra time, taking five straight, before falling on penalty kicks to Germany.
Goal of the day
Miroslav Klose equalized for Germany in the 80th minute against Argentina and sent the match into extra time with his fifth goal of the World Cup.
Michael Ballack’s cross from the left side of the penalty area was flicked backward by Tim Borowski’s head at the near post.
Klose, running toward the back post, dived to head the ball back across goal and past Argentine goalkeeper Leonardo Franco.
Look ahead
“Five-time champion Brazil plays France in Frankfurt today, a rematch of the 1998 final won by the host French. The Brazilians have won a record 11 straight World Cup matches, including seven in 2002 to take the championship. France seems to have found its game after early struggles and rallied to beat Spain 3-1 in the second round.
“England, which has made the quarterfinals despite not playing particularly well, faces Portugal in Gelsenkirchen. The English beat Ecuador 1-0 on David Beckham’s free kick in the second round. Portugal, which will be without suspended starters Deco and Costinha, edged the Netherlands 1-0 in the most carded game in Cup history (16 yellows, four reds).
Quotable
“”It’s a thriller, like a Hitchcock movie. Obviously you’re the happiest person in the world if you win it, and the saddest if you lose.” – Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann after his team beat Argentina in a penalty-kick shootout.