Since losing to England in the 1966 World Cup final, the Germans — whether as West Germany or Germany — have progressed farther than England in all ten subsequent tournaments. England have the perfect chance to end that run on Sunday when the old rivals meet in the round of 16 in Bloemfontein. While England have failed to meet expectations at recent leading tournaments, Germany have achieved the opposite by performing above par. This time they have already proved wrong many analysts who felt that they lacked experience. Germany’s squad contains six players under 23 and England’s none, but those youthful players have looked at home on the big stage in South Africa.
Form
Germany were drawn in a far stronger group than England’s but accrued six points to five by Fabio Capello’s side. Their only failure to win, the 1-0 defeat by Serbia, came in a match in which they lost Miroslav Klose to a first-half dismissal. Germany beat Australia 4-0, albeit against opponents who were a man down for the last half-hour, and battled hard against Serbia, with Lukas Podolski missing a penalty. Ghana gave them a run for their money but Germany deserved the victory.
Entertainment value
Germany’s reputation as a functional team is out of date and the side has provided plenty of excitement in a World Cup that has not always thrilled. They have produced a pleasing mixture of crisp, short passing and imaginative through-balls from the left feet of Mezut Özil and Lukas Podolski.
This group is Germany’s youngest World Cup squad since 1934, with an average age of 24.9 years. England’s is 28.4, making them the second-oldest squad in the tournament behind Brazil.
Star man: Mezut Ozil
The Werder Bremen player barely uses his right foot and has little pace but is Germany’s main creative force. Well balanced and with good vision, he can thread passes through the tightest defences and deliver deft flicks. He had a dip in Germany’s defeat by Serbia but was outstanding against Australia and Ghana.
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New to the spotlight: Thomas Müller
An intelligent deep-lying centre forward who became a first choice with Bayern Munich last season despite strong competition from seasoned strikers, the 20-year-old has impressed on the right of midfield in South Africa. He is hardly flamboyant but is strong in the challenge and has an eye for an intricate pass.