Germany demolished Argentina and Spain beat Paraguay by one goal in a semi-final of extraordinary drama on Saturday as Europe took revenge on Latin America to dominate the World Cup.
The results mean three European sides and Uruguay will contest next week's semi-finals. South America had dominated the early stages of the World Cup, while soccer powers England, holders Italy and France were all humbled.
Germany's 4-0 crushing of Diego Maradona's side was the second time in two days that a European power had sent home one of the two Latin American favorites, following the Netherlands' shock defeat of Brazil on Friday.
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Spain had to fight long and hard against a tough Paraguay before Spanish hitman David Villa, the tournament's top scorer, took the only goal - his fifth of the tournament - in the 83rd minute after substitute Pedro's effort bounced off an upright.
Earlier both sides missed penalties in a frantic spell in the second half. Spanish keeper Iker Casillas saved Oscar Cardozo's penalty and three minutes later Xabi Alonso's first try for Spain was disallowed for encroachment. Paraguayan keeper Justo Villar saved the second.
In the semi-finals Spain will face Germany, who handed Argentina their worst World Cup defeat in 52 years, outplaying them all over the pitch despite the presence of World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who was mostly stifled by defenders.
Germany and Spain will play in Durban on Wednesday while Uruguay face the Netherlands on Tuesday in Cape Town.
The extraordinary World Cup shake-up came as millions of Africans continued to mourn the controversial elimination of their last hope, Ghana, by Uruguay on Friday.
The Ghanaians were robbed by a cruel, some said unfair, turn of fate from becoming the first continental nation to reach the semi-finals after being beaten by Uruguay on penalties.
A Luis Suarez handball on the goalline in the dying seconds of extra-time was all that denied Ghana a place in the last four after they failed to convert the resulting spot-kick and then lost the penalty shootout.
Source: Reuters
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