03.07.2010 18:44

Messi out of World Cup (0-4)

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Leo Messi is out of the World Cup. Germany produced a stunning display on Saturday afternoon to defeat Argentina 4-0 leaving Messi without a goal in the entire tournament.

In 2006 the Germans eliminated Argentina in a quarterfinal penalty shootout. This time round it was a 4-0 defeat in open play that will create a wound that will take a long time to heal.

An early goal

Germany took a shock lead after just 2 minutes and 40 seconds when Thomas Müller got in front of the Argentina defence to head home a Schweinsteiger free kick. They held on for the rest of the first half and could even have increased their lead as they dazzled a disjointed Argentina side with a virtuoso display of fast one-touch football. Messi and the rest of the Argentina attack were forced to come back deeper and deeper to collect the ball.

Klose nears Ronaldo record

However, after the break Argentina showed some signs of finding the equalizer until Klose scored from a free kick some 20 minutes from time. The Argentine resistance collapsed and Friedrich and Klose added two more to complete Argentina’s humiliation. With 14 goals in three World Cups, Klose is close to beating Ronaldo’s record of 15 goals.


Messi leaves without a goal

Leo Messi made a huge effort throughout the match but spent much of the game away from the danger areas. He produced seven shots but failed to cause the German keeper any real trouble. Last time round he played no part whatsoever in the quarterfinal and today just wasn’t his day. Messi has bowed out of the 2010 World Cup without scoring a single goal.