| The World Cup is down to eight countries as we | | | | performance by veteran Zinedine Zidane and Thierry |
| approach the business end of the tournament. This is | | | | Henry's goal after 57 minutes was enough to see |
| what happened the four quarter finals and who will | | | | France through to the final four. Before they met |
| be squaring off against who in the semis. | | | | Spain in the second round, France were 20/1 |
| In a match billed as the 1990 World Cup final replay, | | | | outsiders but now see themselves as 2/1 second |
| hosts Germany ousted second favourites Argentina | | | | favourites behind hosts Germany. |
| on a penalty shoot-out. Roberto Ayala headed | | | | Whereas France's victory over Brazil was a shock, |
| Argentina in front four minutes into the second half | | | | the most dramatic match of the quarter finals was |
| and Jose Pekerman's side looked to have booked | | | | unquestionably England vs Portugal. England had |
| their place in the last four until leading goalscorer | | | | arguably better of the chances until the crucial turning |
| Miroslav Klose levelled 10 minutes from time. No more | | | | point after XX minutes when Wayne Rooney was |
| goals were scored and the impeccable Germans | | | | sent off. Rooney apparently stamped on Ricardo |
| maintained their 100% penalty record in a major finals | | | | Carvalho and Manchester United team-mate Ronaldo |
| by defeating their opponents 4-2 from the spot. A | | | | gestured to have the striker sent off. Rooney |
| large brawl broke out after the final spot kick and | | | | pushed Ronaldo away and duly received his marching |
| Pekermen resigned in the aftermath of defeat. | | | | orders. Sven Goran Eriksson had no more ideas to call |
| Italy vs Ukraine was expected to be a low scoring | | | | upon, despite banking £25 million during his five |
| affair but the Italians stepped up a gear and swept | | | | year tenure and with the score still 0-0 after 130 |
| the World Cup first timers aside 3-0. Italy were out | | | | minutes, the match was to be decided by the lottery |
| of the blocks early and Zambrotta broke the | | | | of a penalty shoot-out. |
| deadlock after just six minutes. Luca Toni, tipped by | | | | Simao scored but Frank Lampard's was saved by |
| many as a dark horse for the World Cup Golden | | | | goalkeeper Ricardo. Hugo Viana hit the post and the |
| Boot, finally scored his first of the tournament, | | | | impressive Owen Hargreaves scored. Armando Petit |
| heading in after 59 minutes and netted another 10 | | | | struck his effort wide but with the chance to put |
| minutes later to set up a semi-final clash against | | | | England in front, Steven Gerrard saw his tame effort |
| Germany. | | | | saved. Helder Postiga converted from the spot but |
| Arguably the biggest shock of the tournament was | | | | Jamie Carragher saw a third penalty saved by |
| France against Brazil. The ageing French side who had | | | | Ricardo. Ironically, it was Ronaldo who netted the |
| surprisingly got this far after an unconvincing group | | | | third crucial penalty to send Portugal into the semi |
| stage performance were expected to lose against | | | | final by a 3-1 scoreline. |
| pre-tournament favourites Brazil. However, an inspired | | | | |