Over the weekend Spain, the Netherlands, Uruguay and Germany made it through to the semi-finals of the World Cup, but the qualifying matches were not without a few surprises.
% z* H! q" r$ b5 \$ j6 n/ T One of the biggest shocks at the weekend was Germany's 4-0 triumph over South American heavyweights Argentina.
+ @2 z/ p8 ~, `) I) J3 g6 R1 v The young German team coped with everything Argentina could throw at them,which left the South American team with their worst World Cup defeat in 52 years.
# k9 ]- e( Z" H2 \9 g) @* f After the game, Argentina coach Diego Maradonna, was left emotional on the sidelines and is now contemplating his future with the team.
- ]- c. W1 U; l3 M2 E$ ~7 _ Maradonna says he needs to talk with the players and his family before he makes a decision.
# W$ p. C7 w8 Q0 i& \# k1 I The fiery coach also spoke about how the Argentine people will feel about the team's performance.3 S$ ]2 D' N' ]0 Y/ ?1 L
"This is a country where you live and breathe football. I don't think that anybody will be happy when the team loses 4-0."
+ m* _! x" A$ n$ w Another shocking outcome of the weekend's matches was hot favourites Brazil being knocked out of the competition by the Netherlands.
3 S# u$ f( D" i. W The dramatic game saw Brazil playing with 10 men, after Felipe Melo was given a red card following an altercation with the opposing team's Arjen Robben.
5 `) r* {+ s) y( ? After the game Brazil coach, Dunga talked about the team's surprise defeat.
5 l- W7 I. D. u7 r, F) A* u0 s "We're all extremely sad, we didn't expect this. We played well in the first half but we weren't able to maintain that rhythm。") _5 W1 _3 n! {& F
The shock exit of the five time World Cup winners has resulted in the team's coach, Dunga getting the sack。
- l7 O; Z; i/ r( B Just over three weeks ago the World Cup started with 32 teams and now it's down to the final four. Uruguay will play the Netherlands and Spain will face Germany.
' ^, y2 O$ K( t* L" Z+ _9 A" L) R Spanish player, Andres Iniesta is looking forward to the game saying, "It will be a game between two rivals who enjoy having the ball and I think it will be a beautiful battle。" |