The third week of Germany 2006 saw the remaining 16 nations from the group stages whittled down to just four as some suffered heartache while others rejoiced in their glory.

Of course defeat at this stage of the competition is so often met with tears and anguish but apart from a few exceptions, football's greatest festival continued to exceed expectations with yet more cracking occasions to cherish.

Here we take a look back at the best games from week three...

Mexico 1 Argentina 2 (AET)

Every four years there seems to be one game which stands head and shoulders above the rest and this time it was Argentina's enthralling second round victory over a Mexico side who won millions of admirers for their courageous efforts.

Both teams contributed to one of the most absorbing games of football ever seen on this stage but the supporters also played their part in what was a passionate yet heart-stopping night.

The Mexicans and Argentines in the stands, along with the neutrals swept along with the carnival atmosphere, lit up Leipzig's World Cup stadium for the entire 120 minutes of a match crammed full of drama, controversy, and a wonderful goal worthy of winning any game.

The performance of Los Tricolores may not have earned them a place in the quarter-finals but they could return home with pride, knowing they gave Argentina one hell of a game.

The underdogs opted against a defensive approach and instead chose to trouble the South Americans with relentless waves of attacks and fast paced passing and moving.

Indeed Rafael Marquez fired Mexico in front after just five minutes but the Argentines quickly replied when Jared Borgetti's header found the back of his own net, even though Hernan Crespo was somewhat dubiously awarded with the goal.

There may well have been no more goals in normal time but the dazzling skills and energetic spirit of every player on show was a joy to behold.

And in the extra-time period we were all treated to a moment of the highest quality.

Eight minutes in, Maxi Rodriguez controlled Juan Pablo Sorin's cross-field pass on his chest before rifling an incredible volley from the edge of the penalty area into the top left corner of Oswaldo Sanchez's goal.

The deflated Mexicans looked beaten by the stunning strike and despite their best efforts, they were unable to carve out an equaliser to take the game to penalties.

Although it was a shame to wave goodbye to Mexico for everything they brought to the competition, Jose Pekerman's Argentina were fully deserving of their place in the quarter-finals where they would then meet the hosts Germany.

Spain 1 France 3

Although this pulsating contest had four goals, it was the calibre of football on show which made purists drool with wonder.

The French had been written off following their dour performances in the group stages where many of their star players such as Zinedine Zidane, Franck Ribery and Thierry Henry failed to live up to their expectations.

By finishing second in their group to Switzerland, their possible route to the final became so much tougher as the impressive Spanish now stood in their way rather than Ukraine.

But this was a different France. This was not the France who were still seemingly haunted by the failure in Japan and Korea.

Having registered their first World Cup victory since the 1998 final with a 2-0 triumph over Togo, Raymond Domenech's side were filled with renewed confidence and belief.

Grand master Zidane rolled back the years to pull out a majestic performance and together with the commanding Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele, the trio dominated midfield and ultimately steered the country to an unlikely but well deserved victory.

David Villa had given Spain the lead when he fired home a 28th-minute penalty but Ribery finally turned his potential into product to level the scores when he neatly rounded Iker Casillas and coolly slotted the ball into the net just before the break.

And although this was meant to be Spain's time to finally vanquish their curse as tournament underachievers, Vieira's close-range header eight minutes from time ensured this legacy continued while the evening was finished off in style when Zidane struck France's third deep into injury time.

Portugal 1 Holland 0

Some games are remembered for great goals and end-to-end football, while some survive the test of time due to fiery fracas and outrageous refereeing antics.

Quite simply, this had both in what turned out to be an unbelievable night in Nuremburg.

At the end of it all Luiz Felipe Scolari's Portugal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Holland to set up a quarter-final meeting with England but this can't possibly tell the full story.

Both sides finished this hugely heated contest with nine men after Russian referee Valentin Ivanov produced an incredible 16 yellow cards and four reds to equal the all-time tournament record.

With so many scuffles to break up, the man in the middle was under pressure to restore order on the pitch but he went too far and began brandishing the cards so quickly that everyone began to lose count.

It was a shame such an entertaining clash had to come to this numbers game because it started so brightly with the Dutch so often raiding forward and creating chances which they were unable to take.

Although Marco van Basten's men were well on top in the early stages, Maniche's superb first-half strike broke the deadlock to give the Portuguese the advantage.

Just before the break, Costinha became the first man of the night to receive his marching orders after a ridiculous handball in midfield and now the scales were now slightly balanced in Holland's favour.

The Dutch started the second half as they did the first and went close when Phillip Cocu smashed a shot against the bar while Ricardo was forced to palm a Mark van Bommel wide of the post.

But another key turning point came when Khalid Boulahrouz' raised arm caught Luis Figo in the face which not only resulted in another red to even the sides but a huge brawl which was typical of such a clash.

Matters descended into farce when Deco saw red after two bookable offences in quick succession while Giovanni Van Bronckhorst also departed just when the final whistle was fast approaching.

Germany 1 Argentina 1 (aet: 4-2 pens)

Football in Germany reached fever pitch when the hosts managed to defy the odds and dumped Argentina out of the World Cup, but it was an anxious and tense afternoon to say the least.

A major tournament is never complete without the Germans demonstrating a machine-like penalty shoot-out routine and in Berlin they once again delivered.

After a fascinating yet nervy 120 minutes finished 1-1, the stereotypically efficient nation were forced to embrace the element of knock-out football they thrive on more than anybody else.

Can anyone remember a time when a German has actually missed a single penalty in a shoot-out, let alone a time when the country has been eliminated by one?

This time it was Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann who was the hero, saving from Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso while the German spot kick masters ruthlessly scored four out of four to secure a semi-final date with Italy and more importantly keep their dream of home glory alive.

The stormy scenes involving several players and officials which followed Lehmann's conclusive save somewhat ruined the joyous occasion as Argentina proved once more what bad losers they really are - a shame considering the glittering football they brought to the competition this summer.

But ignoring those unsavory clashes, this was a gripping quarter-final which put the 72,000 strong crowd through all sorts of emotion.

After a cagey goalless first half, the rematch of the 1986 and 1990 finals finally sparked into life when Ayala's header from a corner gave the Argentines the lead but an unwillingness to press forward like in previous rounds cost them dear.

With the Germans chasing the game, Jose Pekerman's side could have been much more adventurous on the break but instead Miroslav Klose pounced for the fifth time this summer to send the game into extra-time.

The home side, led by the outstanding Michael Ballack in midfield, looked far more likely to go on and score the winner, but in the end the penalty policy succeeded again and who would bet against a return to Berlin for the final on July 9.

Brazil 0 France 1

In the last of the quarter-finals, a Zinedine Zidane inspired France ensured Brazil would lose their crown as football's world champions.

This captivating encounter was almost like the returning of a torch which had passed from the French to the South Americans four years previously.

The Samba boys, who had hardly lit up the tournament as many had hoped, were simply shell shocked by their far superior opponents who thwarted their every move and kept them largely oppressed in their own half.

With this terrific team performance, the French put another nail in the coffin of those critics who had the cheek to suggest there was little life and talent left in this ageing side.

In fact their passion, determination and sheer class was clear for everyone to see and it was only a matter of when they would score the decisive goal as they continued to take the game to the pre-tournament favourites.

Sure enough Zidane, who will sadly retire at the end of the World Cup, delivered an inch perfect free-kick for Thierry Henry to steel in at the far post and guide his 57th minute strike into the roof of the net.

The enigmatic Frenchman was in sensational touch and enabled his side to control virtually the entire game while the watertight defence dealt with a late rally from the Brazilians in immaculate fashion.

This was quite simply an exhibition of a near perfect game with the only weakness being a lack of killer instinct up front, but fortunately Henry's finish proved to be enough this time.

Now Les Bleus must surely march on to the final where Zidane can complete his marvelous career with one last triumph.