Germany beat Sweden 2-0 to reach the quarter finals of the World Cup on Saturday afternoon. Henrik Larsson's Swedish national team had not much of a chance in this encouter, despite Barca´s Larsson missing a penalty in the second half.


Podolski´s two early goals (4´and 12´) and Teddy Lucic´s sending off off after 34 minutes made it a mission impossible for the Swedes. Sweden did not trouble the Germans too much and the only chance to come back into the game was when Germany´s Christoph Metzelder fouled Larsson in the box, who then fired the penalty over the crossbar.


Henrik Larsson will make a decision on his future as an international after the World Cup. The Swedish hitman could have played his last match and brought to a close his spectacular international career. Larsson is Sweden's leading goal scorer and has scored in three different World Cups.


GERMANY v SWEDEN 2-0


Germany (4-4-2): Lehman - Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm - Schneider, Frings (Kehl 85´), Ballack, Schweinsteiger (Borowski 71´) - Klose, Podolski (Neuville 73´) - Manager: Klinsmann


Sweden (4-4-2): Isaksson - Alexandersson, Mellberg, Lucic, Edman - Jonson (Wilhelmsson 52´), Linderoth, Kallstrom (Hansson 39´), Ljungberg - Ibrahimovic (Allback 71´), Larsson - Manager: Lagerback


Goals:
1-0: Podolski 4´

2-0: Podolski 12´


Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)