Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann was hailed as the hero of Germany after his two penalty shoot-out saves against Argentina sent the World Cup hosts through to the semi-finals.

Lehmann held his nerve to save from Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso after the match had ended 1-1.

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who had controversially selected Lehmann ahead of Oliver Kahn as his World Cup goalkeeper, said: "We have a strong belief in Jens Lehmann and his ability at saving penalties.

"As a former striker I wouldn't want to face him, and he proved that, he has a sense about where the ball is going and he almost saved the other two as well."

Kahn made a point of burying the hatchet by shaking hands before Lehmann took his place between the sticks and Klinsmann added: "It's not a surprising thing to happen because we work as a team and although the players may not be on the pitch they still participate."

The Arsenal goalkeeper saved a penalty against Villarreal's Juan Roman Riquelme in April to send the Gunners through the Champions League final, and he produced more heroics on Friday.

Lehmann himself said: "A couple of months ago I was in the same situation where I saved a penalty. Then it was to put us in the final and now we are in the semi-final.

"For me it's just fantastic and I really celebrated afterwards because I just loved the atmosphere, I love Germany and I love the fans. It was a very emotional moment for me."

Ayala's header had given Argentina the lead early in the second half and they held on until Miroslav Klose equalised with 10 minutes to go with his fifth goal of the tournament.

Klinsmann added: "It was always going to be a thriller and a very tough match and I think this was the best two teams we have seen this tournament.

"They scored a corner kick out of nothing but we always believed we could come back.

"Penalty shoot-outs are difficult for the team that loses to accept.

"We are very, very proud of our team - five players on the pitch at the end could still play for the under-21s, we are a young team guided by some very good older players.

"It's like a Hitchcock movie and you are the happiest person in the world when you win and the saddest when you lose."

Germany captain Michael Ballack hobbled up to take one of the penalties even though he was suffering from cramp - like all the Germans, he scored - and said he had been determined to see out the game.

"I had cramp but I wanted to play until the end," he said. "It was tough but the team were fighting and we had used all our substitutes.

"We all have this huge dream and now we want to live it.

"It was not the best match that we have played, and certainly not for the spectators, but we were very strong and I believe we had the best chances and deserved to go through."