Argentina, 2010 World Cup | featured news

Ironclad defense helps Germany not only prevail 4-0 in a wide-open game that was full of attacking play by both teams, but remain on course to win a fourth title since its last victory 20 years ago.

Irresistible force met immovable object in the World Cup quarterfinals in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.

South Africa went out with heads high on Tuesday, despite being the only hosts ever to exit the World Cup's first round, but France headed home in shame and Latin American giants Argentina cruised into the second round.

Diego Maradona, mad genius on the soccer field, madman off it, would seem to be an absurd choice to coach Argentina's team in the World Cup.<p/> Maradona, a former cocaine addict who weighed an obese 240 pounds before stomach-stapling surgery, often juggles the ball on the sideline during games. Or he's an emotional wreck, his face contorting operatically. After Argentina scored against Peru in a qualifying match, Maradona dove into a belly slide on the wet grass.