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FIFA World Cup: Argentina vs Germany “ A royal football rivalry

New Delhi: Brazil-Argentina and Germany-Netherlands may be the fiercest rivalries in international soccer. But Germany and Argentina still have quite the conjoined history, arguably more than either of the other two in the World Cup.


1990 World Cup Final



The rematch! Argentina won two of its seven matches, scored five goals and reached the final after dispatching Yugoslavia and host Italy on penalties. A more prolific West German team did the same, after sending England home on penalties. The final was a fitting climax to what has been acknowledged to be the most boring World Cup of all-time (Roger Milla excepted). The Germans won 1-0, on a penalty in the 85th minute, to win their third World Cup.


2006 World Cup Quarterfinal



Germany hosted the tournament. Argentina looked like the best team for much of it. Miroslav Klose scored in the 80th minute to even the score at 1-1 in Berlin. With German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann consulting a crib sheet tucked in his sock, Die Mannschaft (Germany) beat the Argentines 4-2 on penalties to advance to the semifinals, where they lost to Italy. Punches were thrown during a post-match melee.