Irrepressible Germany tame Argentina

Germany moved within one game of their eighth FIFA World Cup final as they convincingly suppressed a talented Argentina side in Cape Town.

Plenty had been expected from a rivalry that conjured memories of the 1986 and 1990 finals – in which either side claimed one victory – but the one-sided result was anything but anticipated. Thomas Müller's third-minute header provided the foundation with two second-half tap-ins from Miroslav Klose – hauling him level with Gerd Müller's German record of 14 World Cup finals goals – and an Arne Friedrich effort confirming a semi-final against Spain on Wednesday.

The build-up to this contest had witnessed bravado on both sides – ten players in the starting lineups played in Germany's shoot-out success against Argentina at this stage four years ago – and the early stages only added to the intensity. One of the survivors from that Berlin encounter, Bastian Schweinsteiger, swung in a free-kick and Müller scampered in front of Sergio Romero to nod in the opener – the quickest goal of the finals.

Joachim Löw's charges should have doubled their lead midway through the half when Müller teed up Klose only for the striker to blaze over on his 100th international appearance. Weak efforts from Angel di María and Gonzalo Higuaín were gathered comfortably by Manuel Neuer as Argentina mustered a response. It was Germany who reached the interval the stronger, though, with Lukas Podolski and Müller, who picked up a booking that rules him out of the semi-final, going close.

Diego Maradona's side had been the most prolific heading into the last eight and a second-half reaction was forseen. Di María swiftly sliced wide and Carlos Tévez demanded a courageous block from Per Mertesacker, but the onslaught then failed to materialise. Instead it was Germany who swelled in confidence and their second reward arrived after 68 minutes when Sami Khedira released Podolski, who squared for Klose to score.

Schweinsteiger was again the instigator of the third goal, bursting through the wilting Argentina rearguard before cutting back for Friedrich to clip in a simple 74th-minute finish for his first international goal. Then came the landmark moment for Klose, his last-minute strike from Mesut Özil's cross moving him one shy of Ronaldo's all-time scoring record at the finals.