The game certainly wasn't fixed and Blueprint, it matters not where the game was played. It was one of those things. From where Lubos Michel saw the tackle, it would have looked like Lahm got the ball. When I saw it first time I thought Rodriguez had dived and was right to get booked. The sooner diving is eradicated from the game the better. But on the replays, Lahm didn't get the ball.
But it wasn't fixed and it has nothing to do with being a home town call. If that was the case, every host nation would win the World Cup regardless. Never underestimate home field advantage. It's almost worth a goal head start.
Jose Pekerman was to blame. Instead of going and pushing to get a 2nd, he sat back, took off Riquelme and brought a defensive midfielder in Esteban Cambiasso, knowing full well that Germany would push forwards for an equaliser. To leave Leo Messi on the bench was a mistake, especially when the game was stretched and Germany were pushing on, bringing Neuville and Borowski on. There were HUGE holes behind Frings that Riquelme and Messi could have taken advantage of.