Hosts Germany go into the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup against Brazil as Group A winners despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Argentina in Nürnberg on Tuesday.
Goals from Brazilian-born striker Kevin Kuranyi (29min) and Gerald Asamoah (51) saw Germany forge ahead but Argentina twice
replied through Juan Roman Riquelme (32) and Esteban Cambiasso (74) to deny the hosts. Argentina also qualify for the last four of the competition finishing as runners-up on goal difference.
Mexico (0-0 against Greece) and Brazil after a 2-2 draw against Japan have qualified from Group B. Germany headcoach Jürgen Klinsmann will be delighted to be two games from winning the trophy but will rue a glorious chance to end their miserable run against the big teams.
The hosts started the more promising but Argentina should have
scored in the 16th minute when Carlos Tevez crossed brilliantly
from the right but Luciano Figueroa headed over. Argentina then had a controlled spell of possession but gave the ball away cheaply at the back and were made to pay in the 29th
minute.
A Thomas Hitzlsperger free-kick took a series of pinball deflections in the penalty area and the ball fell to Kuranyi who
prodded in. The lead lasted just three minutes as Villareal star Riquelme curled a delightful free-kick past Hildebrand to restore parity. Hildebrand was making a rare start between the German posts but could do nothing about the exquisite strike.
The interval seemed to benefit Germany and in the 51st minute
they retook the lead through Asamoah. Kuranyi saw the run of Schalke star Asamoah and the powerful front-man drilled a shot low into the corner.
The two teams met in Dusseldorf back in February and Germany
twice led only to be pegged back late on at 2-2. History was to repeat itself as Cambiasso rifled in a 74th minute equaliser after great work from Tevez.
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[bild1]Hosts Germany go into the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup against Brazil as Group A winners despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Argentina in Nürnberg on Tuesday.
Goals from Brazilian-born striker Kevin Kuranyi (29min) and Gerald Asamoah (51) saw Germany forge ahead but Argentina twice
replied through Juan Roman Riquelme (32) and Esteban Cambiasso (74) to deny the hosts. Argentina also qualify for the last four of the competition finishing as runners-up on goal difference.
Mexico (0-0 against Greece) and Brazil after a 2-2 draw against Japan have qualified from Group B. Germany headcoach Jürgen Klinsmann will be delighted to be two games from winning the trophy but will rue a glorious chance to end their miserable run against the big teams.
The hosts started the more promising but Argentina should have
scored in the 16th minute when Carlos Tevez crossed brilliantly
from the right but Luciano Figueroa headed over. Argentina then had a controlled spell of possession but gave the ball away cheaply at the back and were made to pay in the 29th
minute.
A Thomas Hitzlsperger free-kick took a series of pinball deflections in the penalty area and the ball fell to Kuranyi who
prodded in. The lead lasted just three minutes as Villareal star Riquelme curled a delightful free-kick past Hildebrand to restore parity. Hildebrand was making a rare start between the German posts but could do nothing about the exquisite strike.
The interval seemed to benefit Germany and in the 51st minute
they retook the lead through Asamoah. Kuranyi saw the run of Schalke star Asamoah and the powerful front-man drilled a shot low into the corner.
The two teams met in Dusseldorf back in February and Germany
twice led only to be pegged back late on at 2-2. History was to repeat itself as Cambiasso rifled in a 74th minute equaliser after great work from Tevez.
