Argentina boss Diego Maradona claims his side will be going to South Africa with realistic ambitions of winning the World Cup this summer.

Maradona has not had it easy since he became manager of the national team in 2008, but a 1-0 win over Germany in Munich last night showed that his side are primed and ready for the World Cup.

"This game had the character of a World Cup quarter-final and this is the level we were looking for," he said.

"Maybe the press in Argentina won't like it, but we are going to play a very good World Cup in South Africa."

A goal from Gonzalo Higuain earned Argentina the win and they also hit the crossbar as they controlled proceedings against a tired, timid and disorganised Germany.

"Argentina were very solid and extremely confident on the ball," said Germany coach Joachim Low.

"They were very dangerous when they came forward. There are always things that you have to work on and we know that we have got to work hard to make improvements in every part of the team."

Low bemoaned his side's lack of courage, but that aspect of Argentina's performance is what impressed Maradona the most at the Allianz Arena.

He was so impressed with how his team played that he recognised it had made his life even more difficult.

"What we showed is that we have a team who can become world champions for the first time after 24 years," said Maradona, who as a player was the instrumental figure in Argentina's 1986 triumph.

"But now I have got to reduce my squad from 30 players to 23. That is not going to be easy.

"We showed a lot of courage and the whole of Argentina was looking forward to this game.

"Germany has great potential and Argentina showed that they are on a par with them."

They were actually superior, and that was not only reflected in the result.

Lionel Messi, despite not putting in one of his best performances, was still a constant danger to the Germany defence while Juan Sebastian Veron rolled back the years to dominate the centre of midfield with Javier Mascherano.

"I thank God that Messi is Argentinian," added Maradona. "And I will thank God if he can make us world champions again.

"That is what we will go to South Africa to do - become world champions."