Messi, Key for Argentina against Germany

Messi has to find his goal scoring touch against Germany

Many of the usual poster boys of the World Football, the Cristianos, the Rooneys etc has struggled to make an impression in this World Cup. A simple look at the statictics of Messi in this World cup will force you to his name into the aforementioned list. But statistics always doesn't tell the real story, isn't it? Messi looks like have a sigle assist in the ten goals scored by his fellow Argentinians. That's too poor for a person like Messi, but anyone who watched all his matches know that he has an indirect or direct part in 80% of the goal scored by Argentina. But still everyone is still waiting for Messi to break his goal scoring duck soon. I have earlier pointed out the need of Messi playing as a pivot behind the two main striker in my Argentina, World Cup preview. Such a move is reaping good benefit for Maradona's team in South Africa.

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Villa Strike Sends Portugal Home

David Villa strike secures Spain QF spot

Newly signed Barca striker, David Villa continued his red-hot goal scoring streak with the solitary winning goal against Portugal. Portugal as done in their previous matches against quality opponents parked the bus, but still failed to keep David Villa quiet. But this match highlighted more problems for Spain's coach Del Bosque. It was one of the better performances by Spanish side, but still the form of Xavi and Torres is still a worrying factor for Spain. Spain will meet Paraguay in the Quarter Finals after the latter had seen off Japan in the first penalty shoot-out of the World Cup.

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Argentina to Meet Germany in Quarter Final

Tevez Brace Takes Argentina through

Argentina has booked themselves a Quarter final clash with old foes Germany with a 3-1 controversial win over Mexico. This will be a repeat of last World cup's Quarter Final clash in which Argentina surprisingly went out in penalties. Lionel Messi once again failed to score a goal coming very close, only to see Tevez steal that goal. By the end of the match there were a herd of senior players, especially Heinze trying to console him and keep his spirits up. The match had its fair share of controversies with the first goal. Tevez looked clearly offside while he scored the goal but the linesman thought otherwise. Mexico then gifted Argentina's Higuain his fourth goal of the tournament, you have to appreciate his calmness in rounding off the keeper. And then in the second half, Tevez scored his second with a stunning kick from outside the box.

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World Champions Knocked Out, D-Day for Spain

World Champions Italy finished bottom in the Group

As expected defending World Champions Italy was knocked out of the World cup following a 3-2 defeat against Slovakia. Everyone expected this to happen, after Marcelo Lippi hugely controversial decision to exclude Antonio Cassano and Fabrizio Miccoli. Eventhough they got themselves into good positions throughout yesterday's match, they never had the strike power to finish of those chances. Meanwhile the New Zealand - Paraguay match ended in a goalless draw. That means the brave NewZealand side was eliminated from the World cup. In Group F Holland maintained their 100% win record with a 2-1 victory over Cameroon. Japan secured a birth in next round with a 3-1 victory over Denmark. Japan will now face Paraguay while Netharlands will face Slovakia.

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England Escapes but German Troubles Ahead

Many say this has been a very dull World Cup, get a grip guys. I mean, look almost all groups are in tantrum until the last day. Group C and D were decided yesterday. USA and England joined Germany and Ghana in the round of 16. Ghana most probably will be the only African team left once the group stage ends. England who produced a much more enterprising performance last night secured a 1-0 victory courtesy of a first half goal from Defoe. The victory had its fair share of nervous moments, but nothing compared to the USA - Algeria match. United States of America left it pretty late to secure qualification. Donavan scored in the 91st minute to slash the Slovenian hopes. When the Slovenia vs England match ended both the teams were supposed to proceed but that changed in the very next minute.

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