Fulltime in Berlin

'50 - Goooolllllll!!!! Ayala sends in a powerful header that beats Lehmann off a corner. Ayala is promptly called "Lucho Gonzalez" and "Argentina's captain" by ESPN's Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa. And they call themselves the Worldwide Leader.

'55 - It's a different game now. Much more open. Ballack shanks a header with Abbondazieri in no man's land. Riquelme blows a counter by holding onto the ball too long. Off day for Argentina's talisman.

'60 - Argentina looks like the team that played Mexico - dropping deep, giving up possession, etc. It's helped ze Germans wake up. Klinsmann subs in Tony Parker, who immediately starts bolting up and down the right wing. Argentina are playing a dangerous game, just sitting back and trying to defend.

'65 - Abbondazieri is down. Either Klose burst one of his kidneys or time wasting has begun with a half hour left.

'70 - And Abbondazieri is out. Wow. Not often you see a goalie bail with 20 minutes left in a Cup quarterfinal. It's an offense-defense drill right now for the German attackers.

'75 - Riquelme out! If this goes to extra time, Pekerman just took out his ace in the 5th inning with a one run lead. A bold move. Germany gets a gift of a call for a non-existent foul on Odonkor. Albiceleste barely holding on.

'80 - Goooolllllllll for ze Germans! Klose!!! And that was coming. Big time trouble for the South Americans. Riquelme out. Crespo out. Backup goalie in. No Messi today. Or Saviola either. No subs left. Germany is on a rampage. The home fans are going berserk. The ref hasn't called anything in Argentina's favor in, oh, 30 minutes. Not looking bueno for the Albiceleste.

'85 - Maxi carded for taking a dive. Good call. Odds of the ref calling a penalty for Argentina right now just posted at 900-1. Michel's body would be found floating in the Danube, with Beckenbauer & Blatter ready with their alibis.

'90 - Extra time. Ze Mannschaft has all the momentum. Argentina has put in Cruz up front to play against Germany's 7'2" centerbacks. It will take a miracle for Argentina to pull this one out. Advantage to ze Germans.