The Dream is Over, Our Last Hope: Brazil

"We’re still standing tall. We outclassed them and we can go home with our heads held high."
-Esteban CAMBIASSO (No. 5, ARG)

Cambiasso is absolutely right. Argentina dominated the first half, but let their guards down in the a counterattack during the last 10 minutes that allowed Germany to score. It is very sad to see a team that played superior and beautiful loose in penalties.

What is even sadder that Argentina's golie was taken-out by KLOSE of Germany when they collided and seriously injured Argentina's starting goal keeper. That could of been the difference, but it is now over. What was a relief that the Slovakian referee, Michel Lubos, has been one of the best in the tournament and the game was not smeered with controversy like many others. One thing that did stain Germany was their no.22, ODONKUR. He came in as a supplement and did nothing but play dirty including elbowing Argentina's no.11, Carlitos TEVEZ, in the head and when Tevez complained Odonkur pushed him and screamed at him inches from his face. Tevez showed what level he was one, and walked away (and also out played him).

We all cry with you Argentina, but you have a young team, and a little diamond called MESSI, that I am sure you all will shine in South Africa 2010.

Roberto AYALA (No. 2, ARG)
"We’ve had a great World Cup and we were a great side, one that improved with every game, but now we’ve got nothing to show for it. We shouldn’t be hard on ourselves, though, and we can look ourselves in the mirror and go home proud of what we’ve done. I think the last ten minutes were vital to us not winning the game. That’s when we lost a little control and let Germany get an equaliser."

Oliver NEUVILLE (No. 10, GER), "That was the toughest match to date for us in this tournament. In the end, we just had a bit more luck than they did, as that’s all that it comes down to with penalties."