Germany are through to the World Cup semi-finals after a ruthless and surprisingly comfortable 4-0 victory over Argentina in Cape Town.

Thomas Muller scored the quickest goal of the tournament to put Germany ahead inside three minutes and a second-half double from Miroslav Klose either side of a Arne Friedrich goal completed the rout.

Games of this magnitude can often be dull, sterile affairs but this spectacular never had a chance of being that way.

An Argentina team containing Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez is not exactly set up to defend and it is become clear over the past week that Germany have more than their own fair share of attacking talents.

And they proved it in less than 180 seconds. Nicolas Otamendi brought Podolski down by the touchline, Bastian Schweinsteiger curled the free-kick to the near post and Muller escaped Otamendi's attentions to meet it in the air.

Muller surely intended to send a firm header into the corner but instead he got the faintest touch which deceived Sergio Romero, who must have thought he was going to be beaten anyway.

It shot off the Argentina keeper's leg and rolled into the net.

For a good 15 minutes, those famous blue and white shirts were seen twisting and turning in all directions as they tried to keep their opponents at bay.

Klose wasted a golden opportunity to double the advantage when Muller capitalised on Gabriel Heinze's error and squared for the veteran frontman.

On his 100th appearance, it should have been his 51st goal. But he rushed the opportunity and side-footed over.

Too young to be considered for Germany's triumphant Under-21 squad at last summer's European Championships, what a year Muller has had.

In reaching the Champions League final with Bayern Munich, he had already confirmed himself as one of the best young players in the world.

On successive weekends, both England and Argentina have discovered the 20-year-old is a rich talent as well.

Unfortunately, football can be a cruel sport and a harsh booking for handball means the youngster will miss Wednesday's semi-final in Durban.

After being hurt so badly so quickly, Argentina at least managed to clear their heads and began to respond. The problem was that Germany's defence was rock solid, their movement choreographed superbly.

Messi tried to sparkle but he was forced further back to gain meaningful possession, and then surrounded instantly to ensure there was no escape.

Another star name to leave South Africa without making a significant mark, or scoring a goal, Messi did his best with the scraps that were offered without making the mesmerising burst or defence-splitting pass his team craved.

On the touchline, Diego Maradona stood, knowing the difference between a great player and the absolute best is their ability to produce when the pressure is at its greatest, as he did in 1986.

Since then, Germany have gained revenge, both in the 1990 final and the quarter-final four years ago.

In his amusing dismissal of England, German skipper Philipp Lahm said he wanted to win today, inside 90 minutes, for his country to finally defeat a big team.

It was time for his youthful team-mates to announce their arrival.

First, a prone Muller stabbed the ball into space and set Podolski free to present Klose with a tap-in.

Then, pushing forward even though the game was won, Friedrich was on hand to finish from close range after Schweinsteiger had cut through the Argentine defence like a knife through butter.

Klose finished the rout as Germany scored four goals for the third time of the tournament.