After a poor qualification campaign, Argentina had lit up these finals with some exciting attacking play. However, they failed to make the most of their chances and their defence couldn't cope with the pace and quality of Germany's attacking players.

Thomas Müller opened the scoring with a header after three minutes, but even though there were chances at both ends, the second didn't come until the 67th minute, when Miroslav Klose tapped into an empty net. Centre-back Arne Friedrich popped up in the box to make it three, and Klose finished off another great move to finish the match off.

Two goals from Wesley Sneijder helped the Netherlands to cause a shock and knock Brazil out of the tournament. Brazil had opened the scoring through Robinho and dominated the first half. A cross from Sneijder was then somehow allowed to creep in, pulling it back to 1-1. Although the cross glanced off Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo's head, FIFA have credited Sneijder with the goal.

Sneijder then scored the first header of his career to put the Netherlands ahead. After that, Brazil went to pieces, playing long balls and committing lots of fouls. Melo's awful game got even worse when he stamped on Arjen Robben and was deservedly sent off.

The favourites Spain weren't particularly good against Paraguay, but yet another goal from David Villa was enough to see them through with a 1-0 victory. Villa's shot went in off both posts, but it was enough to put him on five goals for this World Cup, and he is now the tournament's top scorer.

Paraguay had a chance to go ahead with a penalty, but Iker Casillas saved well. Just a minute later, Spain got a penalty of their own, which was scored by Xabi Alonso. However, the referee spotted players in the box before he took it, and made him take it again. This time it was saved, but when Cesc Fabregas followed up he was fouled and Spain should have had another penalty, but the referee outrageously failed to give it.

The other quarter-final between Uruguay and Ghana ended 1-1, after goals from Sulley Muntari and Diego Forlan. Ghana should have scored in the last-minute of extra time, but Luis Suarez handled on the line. He was then sent off, but Asamoah Gyan whacked the penalty against the bar and the match ended seconds later. In the shoot-out, Uruguay won 4-2 after a couple of awful penalties from Ghana were saved easily. It was a shame for Gyan and Ghana, as they would have been the first ever African team to reach the semi-finals.

Uruguay will now play the Netherlands in the semis, with Germany facing Spain in the other match.

Quarter-final results:

Netherlands 2-1 Brazil

Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (after extra time, Uruguay won 4-2 on penalties)

Argentina 0-4 Germany

Paraguay 0-1 Spain