Host Germany moved into the semifinals of the Confederations Cup as goals in the last 16 minutes from Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mike Hanke gave it a 3-0 victory over Tunisia.
Argentina also booked its place in the last four but had to survive a second-half fight-back from Australia before prevailing 4-2 in Nuremburg, Luciano Figueroa grabbing a hat-trick.
In Cologne, Germany had to wait until the 74th minute to make the breakthrough from the penalty spot through inspirational captain Ballack, whose performance earned him the Man of the Match award.
Schweinsteiger and Hanke added to the tally and moved Germany on to six points from two Group A matches, securing its semifinal spot after Argentina saw off Australia, which scored five goals but along with Tunisia bowed out after two defeats.