Fifa to investigate post-match brawl

Argentina are set to face the wrath of Fifa after some shameful scenes on the pitch following their penalty shoot-out defeat to Germany in Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

At least one German player was left lying on the grass after being kicked while there was also widespread punching and pushing following the end of the quarter-final.

Relations had soured during the shoot-out itself and spilled over at the end as players and officials from both sides clashed.

Germany captain Michael Ballack said: "The first provocation came from Argentina. They were shouting at our players when they were walking to the spot and although it was in Spanish and we didn't understand they were trying to put us off.

"When Lukas Podolski scored he put his finger to his lips and said 'shut up' and they didn't like that."

Per Mertesacker was one of those kicked while there was an angry confrontation between Gabriel Heinze and former German striker Oliver Bierhoff who is now a member of the coaching staff.

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman said: "There's a lot of tension and emotion in these situations and with all the drama these things can flare up. But I think Germany and Argentina have great respect for each other."

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann was confident the scenes would not have any impact on his side in disciplinary terms.

He said: "I've no idea what exactly happened but what's for sure is none of our people did anything wrong."

Pekerman also resigned as Argentina coach following the defeat.

Pekerman, who took playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme off against the hosts with 18 minutes of normal time remaining, believes he did everything possible to help his side progress.

"This has come to an end and I will certainly not go on," said Pekerman. "You have to make a decision and I'm convinced I've done everything in my reach, and it's time to look for something else.

"I'm very sorry for the coaches and the fans and the players, this team deserves to go further but we couldn't make it.

"The team has given us reason to be optimistic for the future, they have given us back happiness and shown the real level of football in Argentina.

"They were a team and not a collection of stars and played some wonderful matches."