Germany, Argentina Advance to World Cup Quarterfinals

MUNICH, Germany – Germany and Argentina reached the World Cup quarterfinals Saturday, winning the first two knockout matches of this year's tournament.

Germany looked imperious in its 2-0 victory over Sweden in Munich, with Lukas Podolski scoring twice in the first 12 minutes.

The hosts could have had several more goals as it swept Sweden aside. The outclassed Swedes had defender Teddy Lucic sent off and veteran striker Henrik Larsson missed a penalty.

In Leipzig, Argentina eventually overcame Mexico 2-1 after extra time, but it took a moment of sheer genius by Maxi Rodriguez, with a 20-meter (yard) left-footed volley, to separate the two sides.

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Mexico, which had failed to impress in the group stage, finally showed what it can do and ran the fancied Argentines close.

Germany and Argentina will meet in Berlin on Friday in the quarterfinals.

Violence involving England supporters reappeared in Germany. More than 300 people were arrested in Stuttgart, where England will play Ecuador on Sunday, after two brief but violent disturbances.

On the field, it took Germany only 12 minutes to break down Sweden and become the first team to reach the last eight.

Podolski scored in the fourth and 12th minutes, with forward partner Miroslav Klose playing a big role in both.

"The next game will always be more difficult," Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann said. "We need to permanently improve."

Klinsmann took over the team two years ago, promising to bring Germany its fourth World Cup title. It may not have been an empty promise, although future opponents will provide tougher tests.

Germany got off to a fast start. Michael Ballack passed to Klose, who beat two defenders and cut inside but diving goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson made the save. The ball bounced back to Podolski, whose shot deflected off the head of Lucic and into the net.

"I can't remember the last time Germany played such a first 30 minutes. It was fantastic," Klinsmann added.

The second goal was even prettier.

Klose collected a pass just outside the box, drew three defenders and slipped a reverse pass into space for Podolski, who drove a left-foot shot past the goalkeeper.

In Leipzig, Rodriguez chested a cross-field pass from Juan Pablo Sorin in the 98th minute and, on the volley, hit a hard left-footed shot from the corner of the area into the far side of the net.

"Really, it was incredible," Rodriguez said. "A very beautiful goal. It was a very hard-fought game and I think this goal put us at ease for the final minutes."

Rafael Marquez had put Mexico ahead in the sixth minute and Hernan Crespo equalized in the 10th, but the teams finished 90 minutes of regular time level at 1-1.

In the 90th, Argentina substitute Lionel Messi thought he had given Argentina the lead, but Pablo Aimar was ruled offside.

At the end of the match, several Mexican players were crying.

Marquez's goal had put Argentina behind for the first time in the tournament. Pavel Pardo sent in a free kick from the right side, which Mendez headed across the goal mouth to a sliding Marquez, who knocked the ball over diving goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

Argentina equalized four minutes later. Juan Roman Riquelme curled in a corner from the right, which Crespo flicked into the net.

In Stuttgart after Germany's win, English and German fans clashed in a plaza near outdoor viewing screens. German fans were singing in celebration when England fans began throwing plastic chairs and bottles at them, police said.

Five Germans were injured before officers in riot gear separated the two sides. Police two or three deep corralled the English fans and waded into the crowd, arresting them one by one. In all, 200 people were arrested, most of them English, police spokesman Stefan Keilbach said.

About 50,000 England fans were expected in Stuttgart for Sunday's England-Ecuador match. They were greeted with a heavy security presence — about 1,800 officers on patrol along with British police.

Early Saturday in the same downtown area, police arrested 122 English fans who had been throwing bottles and glasses at passers-by from a pub terrace.

In Munich, the partying was mostly peaceful, though riot police did move in on at least one group of fans in the main fan area, where officials estimated at least 65,000 revelers were in the streets.