Germany beat Argentina 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after a tense quarter-final in Berlin ended 1-1 after extra-time.
After a forgettable first half in which neither side created many clear chances, Argentina took the lead four minutes after the interval when Roberto Ayala 
threw himself at Juan Riquelme corner.
However as Argentina retreated into their shell, Jurgen Klinsmann's hosts started to pile on the pressure and they equalised with ten minutes left when Miroslav Klose executed a textbook downward header after Michael Ballack's cross was flicked on by substitute Tim Borowski.
Despite enjoying the better of the play in the extra half-an-hour, Argentina found it difficult to break through the stubborn German defence.
When it came to the spot kicks, Germany kept up their impressive World Cup record as they scored all of their first four kicks whilst Ayala 
and then Esteban Cambiasso both saw their efforts saved by Jens Lehmann.
After a tense and erratic start to the match, the first chance fell to the hosts with Roberto Abbondanzieri looking unconvincing when dealing with a 25-yard Lukas Podolski free-kick.
Then on 15 minutes, Germany captain Michael Ballack missed when presented with an excellent chance to give Germany the lead, heading Bernd Schneider's cross marginally wide of the right-hand post.
The deadlock was broken soon after the restart. The influential Riquelme delivered an outswinging corner from the right, Ayala got himself in front of Klose and met the ball with a diving header, which he sent low past 
the despairing outstretched hand of Jens Lehmann.
That prompted Germany to come forward and they went close through Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose.
Argentina increasingly looked to play on the counter-attack but the defensive substitutions made by Jose Pekerman eventually counted against them.
With the South Americans ten minutes away from victory, Ballack’s ball from the left was guided down by Borowski and Klose headed past substitute goalkeeper Leonardo Franco for his fifth of the tournament.
No further chances came in extra-time and after all four of the German penalty takers coolly slotted their efforts past Franco, the hosts will now meet the winner of Italy-Ukraine.
Germany: Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Schweinsteiger (Borowski, 74), Frings, Ballack, Schneider (Odonkor, 62), Klose (Neuville, 85), Podolski.
Subs not used: Asamoah, Hanke, Hildebrand, Hitzlsperger, Huth, Jansen, Kahn, Kehl, Nowotny.
Goals: Klose 80
Argentina: Abbondanzieri (Franco, 71), Sorin, Ayala, Coloccini, Heinze, Maxi, Gonzalez, Riquelme (Cambiasso, 72), Mascherano, Crespo (Cruz, 78), Tevez.
Subs not used: Aimar, Burdisso, Cufre, Messi, Milito, Palacio, Saviola, Scaloni, Ustari.
Goals: Ayala 49
Attendance: 72,000