Real Madrid

Argentina are now unbeaten in their last six matches against Germany since the Final of the 1990 FIFA World Cup with Higuain’s poacher’s goal just before half-time the only thing to separate the two giants.

The Albiceleste had the better of the first half at the Allianz Arena in Munich, but Joachim Low’s side looked far livelier in the second period, with Brazil-born substitute Cacau creating dangerous ripples up front and looking a good bet to get a try in the starting line-up.

Angel Di Maria’s long left-footed pass was perfectly weighted and curled, and it tore the German defence to shreds, forcing goalkeeper Rene Adler to come 35 yards out of his goal to try to cover stranded defender Per Mertesacker.

But Higuain got a deft touch to the ball, drifted away from the defence and slotted the ball easily into the open net from 30 yards out. A clinical piece of class that was the difference between the sides.