Germany are the uncrowned kings of World Cup penalty shoot-outs, but coach Joachim Loew is taking nothing for granted ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final against Argentina.

Germany beat Argentina 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out four years ago when spot-kicks decided their quarter-final clash at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium at the last World Cup as the hosts finished third.

Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was the hero of the hour then as he saved penalties by Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso after theatrically reading a briefing note just before the spot-kicks to put off the pair.…

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has accused World Cup quarterfinals rival Argentina of showing no respect for opponents and referees, and urged his teammates not to be provoked.

Germany eliminated Argentina on penalty kicks four years ago at the same stage and there were chaotic scenes after the shootout, with both sides exchanging punches and kicks in a fracas that included team officials from both benches.…

Here’s a reminder of what happened during the last meeting between Germany and Argentina at the 2006 World Cup quarterfinals:…

The Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero says his team are studying Germany’s penalty techniques ahead of their World Cup quarter-final in Cape Town on Saturday.

Diego Maradona’s side are hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2006 quarter-finals, when Germany beat Argentina 4-2 in a shoot-out.…

Chancellor Angela Merkel, a keen football fan, will travel to South Africa to cheer on Germany in their crunch World Cup quarter-final encounter with Argentina, the government press office said Tuesday.

A spokesman for the German Football Federation confirmed Merkel’s travel plans.…

An octopus in Germany called Paul who has shot to stardom for his spot-on World Cup predictions forecast on Tuesday a quarter-final win by Germany over Argentina.

But in view perhaps of the tougher opposition that Diego Maradona’s side will pose Germany on Saturday than England did last Sunday, the eight-legged soccer soothsayer took more than an hour to decide.…

- Germany hands England its worst-ever World Cup loss and advances to the final eight for the 15th straight World Cup, by far the longest streak in World Cup history (second-longest is Brazil with five).

- This is the first of five England-Germany World Cup meetings that was not tied after 90 minutes.

- Germany is the first team to score four goals in the knockout stage since Denmark defeated Nigeria 4-1 in the 1998 round of 16.…

The Fifa president Sepp Blatter today performed an uncharacteristic U-turn, promising to consider the introduction of goalline technology in the wake of Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal for England against Germany.

Blatter relented after former referees and players added their voices to the media clamour for the Fifa president to reconsider a decision made in March, and reiterated on Saturday, that the “human aspect” of the game must be retained and technology ruled out.

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