Germany have beaten Argentina on penalties in the first quarter-final of the World Cup in the Olympiastadion in Berlin after the game finished 1-1 after extra-time, with Arsenal's Jens Lehmann the hero of the hour for the World Cup hosts.

The game finished after extra-time still level at 1-1 on Friday after second-half goals from Roberto Ayala for Argentina and Miroslav Klose equalising for Germany seeing the sides still level after 120 minutes, but with Argentina missing two penalties to gift Germany the win.

The game started at a fair pace, but with hardly a clear-cut chance for either side, with the crowd beginning to get restless, even in the early stages.

Germany captain and Chelsea Ballack had a headed-chance from a cross from Bastian Schweinsteiger go just-wide in the 16th minute after Riquelme had a free-kick go close for Argentina, but both teams were finding it hard to get a breakthrough.

Argentina dominated possession as the half progressed, but with Germany still having had the best chance of the half from Michael Ballack’s attempt.

The game went into half-time with Argentina having the majority of possession, but with Germany defending very well to deny them any space for a clear chance at goal.

The second-half saw Argentina still in control of possession, with Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano having half-chances, but it was Riquelme who was the supplier of the opening goal early in the second-half.

His corner-kick was perfectly placed for Roberto Ayala to head the ball into the net between Jens Lehmann and defender Philip Lahm on the goal-line to make it 1-0.

Roberto Abbonzanzieri was injured early in the second-half after a foul by Miroslav Klose, and had to be replaced by Leonardo Franco in the 70th minute after trying hard to continue the match.

Germany started to get some decent possession, but couldn’t get the final shot in, with Argentina defending well.

Germany got their equaliser, after their first period of sustained pressure, in the 80th minute, from a free-kick from captain Michael Ballack.

His free-kick, from the left-wing, found the head of Tim Borowski, who flicked it on to the head of Germany’s top-scorer Miroslav Klose, who headed it across the Argentinean keeper to level the scores.

Both sides were pushing hard to score the vital winning goal in the remaining minutes, with both sides having used both their three substitutes.

Argentina were the side pushing harder, and almost took advantage of a slip in the German defence for Luis Gonzalez to head for goal, but despite Lehmann’s excellent save, Tevez was ruled offside.

The game went into extra-time with Germany definitely beginning to get a hold in the match, but with both sides facing a gruelling 30 minutes of extra-time.

Extra-time saw shots from Christoph Metzelder for Germany and Luis Gonzalez and Carlos Tevez and Fabrizio Coloccini for the Albiceleste, but nothing to trouble either keeper and the game started to tire, with both teams looking like they were preparing for penalties.

Substitute David Odonkor broke free of the Argentina defence to cross in a dangerous ball into the area, but was well saved by the substitute keeper Franco, with Maxi Rodriguez also having a good chance at the end of extra-time.

The German captain, Michael Ballack had to leave the field, with what looked like severe cramp as both teams really pushed for a winner, but neither side had a sufficient advantage to be able to get the winning goal, and the game went to penalties.

Roberto Ayala was the first person to miss a penalty, after the fourth penalty of the match, with everyone else hitting the mark until Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann made a save from Esteban Cambiasso to give the hosts the win.

Argentina head coach Jose Pekerman may now be rueing having not have brought on Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola to give the Albiceleste more of an attacking impoetus.

Germany now face either Italy or Ukraine, who meet in Friday's other quarter-final.