World Cup: No-Balls referee help Germany

Germany beat 10-men Sweden 2-0 to enter the last eight, thanks in part to a no-balls referee. Germany started the game very well, going ahead in just the 4th min. Michael Ballack found Miroslav Klose near the box. Klose smartly turned his marker but saw the ball pushed away from his feet by Andreas Isaksson. The ball fell to Lukas Podolski who made no mistake. Then on 12th min, Podolski finished smartly after Miroslav Klose's pass. Then came the referee. Sweden's Teddy Lucic was shown a yellow card already when he pull back Klose near the half-way line. Referee gave the freekick, Lucic walked away. Then 3 Germany players surround the referee and the next thing to know, the referee Carlos Simon called Lucic back and sent him off for a second booking in the 35 minutes. The commentor on television called it possibly the worst decision in the World Cup. WHAT DO YOU MEAN POSSIBLY? Easily the worst decision. A stupid referee made a stupid decision due to stupid pressure from the Germans players. He wasn't going to book Lucic, why he suddenly change his mind? By the time Henrik Larsson missed a second-half penalty, the game was over already. Thanks to a no-balls referee!

Germany will meet Argentina in the last 8. Maxi Rodriguez's wonderful volley in the 98th minute Saturday gave Argentina a 2-1 victory over Mexico in extra time and put Argentina into the final eight. Rafael Marquez put Mexico ahead in the sixth minute after getting on the end of a Mario Mendez free-kick. The lead lasted 4 mins. Hernan Crespo equalizing in the 10th min, forcing home a corner which Mexico couldn't clear. Everything was even till fulltime. Then 8 mins into extra time, Rodriguez brilliantly teed himself up after chesting a cross-field pass and unleashed a left-foot volley into the top corner. Game over! Mexico played above themselves yesterday, threatening to cause the 2006 World Cup's first major upset. But came out just short, Argentina will meet Germany.