FIFA World Cup 2010: Germans Riding High into Showdown With Argentina

Demolition: that's how Germany's 4-1 defeat of England can be described. The Germans put on a clinic as goals rained down with individual goals from Strikers Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski and a brace from Thomas Mueller. In what was expected to be a tight and frigid affair, Germany exploited a vulnerable English defence and marked the second time this World Cup that they have scored 4 goals in a game.

It's possible that this German team may have peaked with such a marquee performance, however it may also provide the momentum they need to face up to the powerhouse Argentina in Cape Town on Saturday.

Argentina hold a reasonable advantage in head to head matches winning 8 to Germany's 5 with 5 draws between the teams. Throughout these games however, Argentina have only scored 2 more goals than Germany and so the difference between the teams is miniscule.

It's undoubtable that both teams have a rich pedigree in World Cups, Argentina possesses 2 World Cups from 1978 and 1986 while Germany can claim victories in 1954, 1974 and 1990 including a final victory over Argentina in  Italia '90. In this respect Germany can claim a slight advantage yet the ghosts of 1990 will be ever apparent in the mind of Argentinian manager Diego Maradona and he will instill this into his players so that they may use it to their advantage.

While much derided in their qualifying campaign, Maradona's Argentina have emerged from their group with a 100% record while recording wins in impressive fashion. Germany on the other hand did not pass through group play unscathed, losing to Serbia, yet in typical German fashion, they appear to be getting hot at just the right time.

This Argentina side is somewhat an unknown commodity, but if Germany can nullify the attacking prowess of World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, then Germany may be able to take full advantage of the counter-attack as they did against England since Fullbacks Jonas Guittierez and Gabriel Heinze often move forward to join the attack and are thus highly susceptible to a fast-paced German counter.

Contrary to the German's efforts, Argentinian magician Lionel Messi will be looking to emulate his mentor and manager and set this world cup alight and what better situation to do this then in a world cup quarter-final against an old adversary. While I ultimately believe the flair of Argentina will overcome German might, it will be fascinating to watch come Saturday, July 3rd.