Germany Faces Argentina in host's biggest World Cup test so far

Germany's soccer coach and players say their best World Cup start since 1970 may count for nothing if Argentina, their quarterfinal opponent, performs to its potential.

"They have showed some of the best football in this World Cup," coach Juergen Klinsmann, one of the team that beat Argentina in the 1990 final, told reporters. The quarterfinal "will be a big, big hurdle."

Germany won its second-round match 2-0 against Sweden two days ago on Lukas Podolski's early goals, while Argentina needed extra time and a strike described as "exceptional" by FIFA analyst Andy Roxburgh to overcome Mexico 2-1.

The June 30 contest, the first at this tournament between former champions, in front of 72,000 fans at Berlin's Olympic Stadium is likely to be a highlight of the month-long event, according to former Argentina captain Diego Maradona. Germany and Argentina, with five titles between them, have met at four World Cups including two finals.

In the 1986 showdown in Mexico City, Argentina fought off a late rally by Germany and Jorge Burruchaga made it 3-2 to allow Maradona to lift the trophy. Four years later in Rome, Maradona was in tears as Andreas Brehme's 85th-minute penalty kick settled the match for Germany.

"It will be the match of the tournament," Maradona told Deutsche Press-Agentur. "It will be hard against Germany. They have played well, have a very good midfield and are the hosts."

Germany, slammed before the tournament by the national press for its weak defense, is trying to reestablish its reputation as a soccer powerhouse after failing since 2000 to beat any of the other six winners of the tournament.

Germany has allowed two goals in its four games so far, both against Costa Rica in the tournament opener. Since that game, captain Michael Ballack has helped to shield the defense.

Ecuador dropped five players before its 3-0 defeat against the host because they had already qualified for the second round, while Sweden's Teddy Lucic was ejected with two-thirds of the match remaining.

Argentina, the second favorite behind Brazil, produced this World Cup's biggest victory on June 16 as Juan Riquelme and Lionel Messi led the team's 6-0 crushing of Serbia and Montenegro. The two-time world champion topped its group and beat Mexico as Maxi Rodriguez chested the ball and struck a left-foot volley into the opposite top corner.