Germany are ruthless once in front
DIEGO MARADONA’S handball against England in 1986 was an extraordinary moment of pure drama on which that match hinged. Similarly, all four World Cup quarter-finals in South Africa had huge turning points.
In Holland’s comeback win over Brazil it was the goalkeeping blunder by Julio Cesar that tipped the balance in the favour of the Dutch.
Uruguay’s thrilling penalty shoot-out triumph over Ghana came after Asamoah Gyan missed the chance to score from the spot and send the Africans through in the last minute of extra-time.
A missed penalty was also pivotal in Spain’s narrow victory over Paraguay, Iker Casillas’s save from Oscar Cardozo paving the way for the European Champions to see off the terrific South Americans.
And in Germany’s monumental thrashing of Argentina, it was the third-minute goal from Thomas Muller that rocked Diego Maradona’s men before they had even got started.
The Germans keep getting their noses in front – they also scored early against England – and that is where they are so strong.
Going ahead forces the opposition to come out and take more risks, which sets up the game perfectly for Joachim Low’s men to pick them off on the counter-attack.
It will be interesting to see what happens if they go behind against Spain in the semi-final, because I think if they take the lead again they will win.
Spain have still got a major issue with Fernando Torres, and it seems that until he gets his hair dyed blond again he will never be the same.
Joking aside, I really don’t know what the matter is with him but at the moment they are only winning games when he is taken off.
Despite this I still expect coach Vicente del Bosque to stick with the Liverpool forward against Germany on Wednesday. David Villa has been outstanding but might have an off-day at some stage.
First, however, Holland meet Uruguay tomorrow and I fancy the Dutch to succeed in that one.
Diego Forlan has been magnificent for the South Americans, a real leader of men, but I think they will miss his suspended strike partner Luis Suarez, even if only for the confidence his presence in the team brings.
Back home and England chiefs have made a mistake in deciding to stick with Fabio Capello. Either it is financially-motivated or he has told them he has a vision to rebuild the team’s fortunes.
Tactically it needs rethinking totally, and we have to look to the Spanish or more likely the Germans.
Capello can stick with a few of the older players for the Euro 2012 qualifiers but he has to filter in some fresh quality – and if it isn’t there he has to say so.