NUREMBERG (Germany), June 19: The two Group A favourites reached the Confederations Cup semifinals in a flurry of goals on Saturday, Germany beating Tunisia 3-0 and Luciano Figueroa netting a hat trick as Argentina beat Australia 4-2.

Germany scored all three of their goals in the final 16 minutes in Cologne.

Argentina, hanging on to a 3-2 lead with 20 minutes to go in Nuremberg, secured their place in the last four when Figueroa completed his hat trick a minute from time.

The results left Germany and Argentina top of the table with six points apiece. Australia and Tunisia have none.

Germany skipper Michael Ballack broke the deadlock with a 74th minute penalty. Six minutes later Bastian Schweins-teiger made it 2-0. Mike Hanke scored with two minutes to play.

Argentina took the lead in the 12th minute of their game against Australia when Mario Santana found Figueroa 12 metres out and the Villarreal striker blasted past goalkeeper.

Riquelme scored a penalty before Figueroa got his second eight minutes into the second half.

Argentina seemed determined to throw their advantage away when John Aloisi won and converted a penalty and the big striker was on target again in the 70th minute.

Argentina were rattled but Figueroa tapped in at the far post from Riquelme’s free kick to ease their nerves.—Reuters