Argentina coach Sergio Batista has decided to tactically and morally stick rather than twist after naming his side to face Colombia in Wednesday’s decisive Copa America Group A tie in Santa Fe. The heat is on the hosts after an uninspiring opener with Bolivia on Friday. Substitute Sergio Aguero's late equaliser saved la Albiceleste from an embarrassing home reverse, but it could not spare his boss a roasting from the ever expectant fan...More

The months leading to the first World Cup on African soil were filled with speculation about which superstar would write their name into the pantheon of football history. Could Lionel Messi inspire Argentina to the World Cup, legitimising comparisons with his coach Diego Maradona? Perhaps Wayne Rooney would translate his form with Manchester United onto the international stage, or Cristiano Ronaldo’s (never one to be upstaged if he can ...More

ARGENTINA 0 GERMANY 4Muller 3, Klose 67,89, Friedrich 74 Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium bore witness to the continuation of a glorious World Cup for Germany, as they swept aside a surprisingly lacklustre Argentina in the quarter-finals to emerge as true favourites for the title. It was the margin of victory for The Nationalmannschaft that will send shockwaves through the remaining nations. They totally outclassed Diego Maradon...More

ARGENTINA 0 GERMANY 4Muller 3, Klose 67, 89, Friedrich 74 Germany destroyed Argentina to storm into the semi-finals of the World Cup. The Germans scored four goals for the third time at this year’s tournament, with Thomas Muller, Miroslav Klose (twice), and Arne Friedrich getting on the scoresheet. Germany were ahead within three minutes thanks to Muller’s fourth goal of the tournament. Bastian Schweinsteiger swung in a free-kick...More

One thing that has been uncertain over the Argentina team is their defence although they haven’t conceded many goals, the defence has looked shaky. A German side which will likely to take advantage of, when they meet in Cape Town for a semi final place. Mesut Ozil and Miroslav Klose will been the main threats the defence, with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira being the architects. One man who will know more about the German...More

The knockout stage of any football tournament is always liable to increase both excitement and anticipation as the winner-take-all nature of the ties means there can be no second chances. Some teams may still insist on caginess over ambition, but eventually even they must conjure up a way of winning. The World Cup is no different. The last-16 provides an opportunity for the contenders to go through the gears and also gives an oppo...More