July 4th

Argentina and Germany Failing to Fill 8 Years Gap

The 2nd day of the Quarter Finals saw a big surprise when Argentina and Germany, both regarded top favourites at the start, went out of the Tournament against Netherlands and an underdog Croatia respectively.

Hot sunlight covered Velodrome, Marseille, as Netherlands dominating with their typical midfield passing game had a certain advantage against Argentina, who hardened their defence, maintained by returned Roberto Sensini, watched for any chance of counterblow led by their playmaker Ariel Ortega and Juan Veron. Both scored early in the first half, then, after the break, Fate hit both of them when each one player was sent off after silly behaviours, especially by Ortega. Just after Ortega's expulsion Dennis Bergkamp scored brilliantly the winner for Netherlands.

Been agonized with their own inconsistent midfield play and beautiful saves by Croatian goalie Drazen Ladic, Germany completely lost winning touch in Lyon, and eventually, in the injury time of the first half, let Roberto Jarni hammer a superb goal for Croatia. Nothing good come out after filling more attackers in the second half, Germany suffered a complete defeat losing two more goals from Croatia's Goran Vlaovic and Davor Suker.

Scorers

[N] Kluivert:12min., Bergkamp:89min.

[A] C.Lopez:17min.

Reiziger

Stam

F.De Boer(Capt.)

Numan(Sent-off:72min.)

Sensini

Ayala

Chamot(Balbo:91min.)

Jonk

R.De Boer(Overmars:64min.)

Davids

Cocu

Almeyda(Pineda:67min.)

Simeone(Capt.)

Veron

Ortega(Sent-off:87min.)

Zanetti

Bergkamp

Kluivert

Batistuta

C.Lopez

Scorers

[C] Jarni:48min.(1st half), Vlaovic:80min., Suker:85min.

Worns(Sent-off:40min.)

Matthaus

Kohler

Bilic

Soldo

Stimac

Simic

Heinrich

Hamann(Marschall:79min.)

Hassler(Kirshten:69min.)

Jeremies

Tarnat

Stanic

Boban(Capt.)

Asanovic

Jarni

Bierhoff

Klinsmann(Capt.)

Vlaovic(Maric:83min.)

Suker