Europe remains dominant despite Latin America surge

By Robin Toskin in Johannesburg

European teams hit back to restore their pride in the World Cup after Spain defeated Paraguay to set up a semi-final clash with Germany.

Earlier on Saturday, Joachim Loew’s Germany produced a master-class to consign star-studded Argentina to the dustbin with a 4-0 victory in Cape Town.

South America had looked on course to run away with the accolades in a first ever Fifa World Cup to be staged in Africa after it entered four teams in the quarter-finals.

However, the Netherlands begun the mowing of the South Americans on Friday when Wesley Sneijder turned on the style with two second half goals that rendered meaningless Robinho’s early strike.

Uruguay kept the Latin America flag flying albeit controversially after striker Luis Suarez blocked a goal-bound header from Dominic Adiyiah late on before eliminating Ghana on post match penalties.

With the quarter-finals now out of the way and the last four match-ups now in place, attention now shifts to European rivalry.

Netherlands must deal with the small matter that is Uruguay tomorrow in Cape Town if a repeat 1974 final should stay in the pot should Germany also beat Spain in the other semi-final.

The mouth-watering clash between the extravagantly talented but under-achieving Spain and Germany on Wednesday in Durban tops the bill.

Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 finals thanks to a Fernando Torres goal. The Liverpool striker has, however, struggled for form and was replaced early in the second half by Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

German have displayed some breath-taking football and on the evidence of annihilation of Argentina, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque must worry for his side that struggled to beat Paraguay.

Striker Miroslav Klose moved level with another German great Gerd Muller with 14 goals in the World Cup’s all-time scorer’s chart and one behind Brazil’s Ronaldo.

A brace against Argentina on Saturday confirmed the Polish-born striker as one of the deadliest finishers at the World Cup stage and should pose a threat against the Spaniards.

Del Bosque, however, said he was not afraid of Germany.

"Why should we fear them. I don’t think there is a reason for that because we have the right approach which we showed against Paraguay," he said.

His German counterpart, Loew termed his side’s performance against Argentina as the stuff of champions.

"The team showed great determination, an appetite to win. It was a true champions' performance," said Loew.

While attention will be on the Germany-Spain clash, it is unlikely Netherlands would be taking anything for granted against Uruguay.

Oscar Tabarez’s side were not fancied top get out of Group A that featured France but went on to top the group riding on the shoulders of Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan.

In a tournament that has already sprung several surprises coach Bert Van Marwijk could be well aware land mines on glory trail.