Liow Yi Yang rates the players in Germany's 4-0 demolishment of Diego Maradona's Argentina.Argentina
Sergio Romero - 5
Could do little with any of the German goals. Left for dead by his sub-par defence.
Could do little with any of the German goals. Left for dead by his sub-par defence.
Nicolás Burdisso - 4
Tried to rouse his defence which was shambolic at times. Poor marking from him gifted Klose his goals.
Tried to rouse his defence which was shambolic at times. Poor marking from him gifted Klose his goals.
Martín Demichelis - 4
Just how did Schweinsteiger dance through the entire Argentine backline for the third goal? Demichelis and co. showed a lack of competitiveness and urgency despite being on the back foot.
Just how did Schweinsteiger dance through the entire Argentine backline for the third goal? Demichelis and co. showed a lack of competitiveness and urgency despite being on the back foot.
Javier Mascherano - 5
Tenacious in midfield as usual but as captain, failed to get his midfield organized and that allowed Schweinsteiger and Khedira space and possession to dominate.
Tenacious in midfield as usual but as captain, failed to get his midfield organized and that allowed Schweinsteiger and Khedira space and possession to dominate.
Gabriel Heinze - 5
No big mistakes from Heinze but he'll have to share the blame for a poor defensive show from Argentina.
No big mistakes from Heinze but he'll have to share the blame for a poor defensive show from Argentina.
Nicolás Otamendi - 3
Clumsy in possession and tackling, Otamendi allowed Muller to get in front of him for the early goal. His poor positioning cost his side dearly. Weakest link in the Argentine defence.
Clumsy in possession and tackling, Otamendi allowed Muller to get in front of him for the early goal. His poor positioning cost his side dearly. Weakest link in the Argentine defence.
Lionel Messi - 5
Struggled to influence the game but the best moments from Argentina came from his genius.
Struggled to influence the game but the best moments from Argentina came from his genius.
Ángel Di María - 6
One of the better performers for his side out there. Almost scored with a cracking effort from distance.
One of the better performers for his side out there. Almost scored with a cracking effort from distance.
Maxi Rodríguez - 4.5
Peripheral at best. Did not do enough to track back and cover his dffence.
Peripheral at best. Did not do enough to track back and cover his dffence.
Gonzalo Higuaín - 5
Starved of proper service.
Starved of proper service.
Carlos Tévez - 5
Disappointing performance from the forward. Worked hard but found chances few and far between.
Disappointing performance from the forward. Worked hard but found chances few and far between.
Substitutes
Javier Pastore (on 70' for Otamendi) - 5.5
Enjoyed some openings but was wasteful.
Enjoyed some openings but was wasteful.
Sergio Aguero (on 75' for Di Maria)
Little time to impress.
Little time to impress.
Germany
Manuel Neuer - 7
Safe hands from the stopper who had to make a number of smart saves. The German side have a real rock between their posts.
Safe hands from the stopper who had to make a number of smart saves. The German side have a real rock between their posts.
Arne Friedrich - 7.5
Imperious at the back, shackled Higuain and Tevez to great effect. Even had time to chip in a goal for his side.
Imperious at the back, shackled Higuain and Tevez to great effect. Even had time to chip in a goal for his side.
Per Mertesacker - 7
Huge figure for the German backline.
Huge figure for the German backline.
Jerome Boateng - 6.5
Collected at his full back position.
Collected at his full back position.
Philipp Lahm - 7
Gets forward well for his side. The captain's marking and tackling were exemplary.
Gets forward well for his side. The captain's marking and tackling were exemplary.
Bastian Schweinsteiger - 9
Excellent in the center of midfield, the number 7's distribution was superb. Ran the show for the Germans and memorably waltzed past the Argentine defence to create the 3rd goal. Affording him so much space was Argentina's biggest mistake.
Excellent in the center of midfield, the number 7's distribution was superb. Ran the show for the Germans and memorably waltzed past the Argentine defence to create the 3rd goal. Affording him so much space was Argentina's biggest mistake.
Sami Khedira - 8
Calm and collected on the ball. Khedira plays with a maturity that belies his young age. He's been a more than qualified replacement for the mercurial Ballack. Got forward into some decent positions from his holding midfield role.
Calm and collected on the ball. Khedira plays with a maturity that belies his young age. He's been a more than qualified replacement for the mercurial Ballack. Got forward into some decent positions from his holding midfield role.
Miroslav Klose - 8
Ploughed hard in the lone striker role and was rewarded with two landmark strikes.
Ploughed hard in the lone striker role and was rewarded with two landmark strikes.
Mesut Özil - 7
Ozil's worked hard throughout and his link up play was good. His perfectly weighted cross that was finished by Klose placed the cherry on the cake for Germany.
Ozil's worked hard throughout and his link up play was good. His perfectly weighted cross that was finished by Klose placed the cherry on the cake for Germany.
Lukas Podolski - 7
Podolski simply loves the international stage. Grabbed an assist.
Podolski simply loves the international stage. Grabbed an assist.
Thomas Müller - 8.5
Great movement to glance in the early goal. Muller's quality in the final third is of the highest standard. He was instrumental for the second goal which killed off the opposition. He's a superstar in the making.
Great movement to glance in the early goal. Muller's quality in the final third is of the highest standard. He was instrumental for the second goal which killed off the opposition. He's a superstar in the making.
Substitutes
Marcell Jansen (on 72' for Boateng) - 6
Little impact.
Little impact.
Toni Kroos (on 78' for Khedira)
Little time to impress.
Little time to impress.
Piotr Trochowski (on 83' for Muller)
Little time to impress.
Little time to impress.
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