Mueller 3

                                                                                                                        Klose 67, 89

                                                                                                                         Friedrich 74

Three goals in the final quarter helped Germany to an unexpectedly convincing quarter-final victory over Argentina.

The Germans notched four times for the second consecutive match, and the third time in all in this tournament, as they hit Argentina on the break almost at will in a superb last 25 minutes.

They also had the perfect start when young striker Thomas Mueller headed them in front in the third minute from man-of-the-match Bastian Schweinsteiger’s left-wing free-kick.

Argentina’s much-vaunted attack was kept at arms length, despite the Albiceleste recovering from their woeful start. And Germany ruthlessly exploited their opponents’ well-known defensive frailties.

Miroslav Klose made it 2-0, forcing home strike-partner Lukas Podolski’s cross from close range. Arne Friedrich tapped-in the third from equally close-range after a wonderful Schweinsteiger run. And Klose moved into joint-second in the all-time World Cup goalscorers list with a neat volley after a slick three-man German move.