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France vs Germany World Cup 2014 preview: Five reasons why Germany will win

The sides meet in a quarter-final in Rio bidding for a place in the last four

Friday 04 July 2014 16:00 BST

Germany's Thomas Mueller celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the group G World Cup soccer match between the United States and Germany (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Ahead of Friday's quarter-final meeting, we find a few reasons why Germany will continue their strong tournament with a win over France.

1. They can overcome anything

Germany’s preparation for this World Cup was as bad as it could get yet they’ve hardly missed a beat. Marco Reus withdrew after injuring himself in a warm-up game, while Julian Draxler and Benedikt Howedes were involved in a car crash. But it hasn’t affected them and Germany comfortably routed Portugal before doing enough to get into the knockout stages. Algeria proved a tough task but the Germans, as they always seem to, found a way. The flu outbreak will be the latest roadblock they will overcome.

2. Germany always find a way

The jury still seems to be out on this young set of players but they are arguably the most decorated group in the tournament. They have failed to take the final step when it really matters at crunch time in international football, reaching at least the semi-finals in the last four tournaments, but in domestic football they’ve seen and done it all. The majority of the squad come from Bayern Munich, who won the treble just two years ago and romped to another double last season.

World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

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1/10World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

James Rodriguez

The player who has most seized this World Cup, and thereby most seized attention. James might have been a marvellous talent on the radar of top clubs before this tournament, and the £38m Monaco paid last summer reflected his potential, but the 22-year-old has simply moved onto a different level. It is quite a quirk that Manchester United could have got him for £5m back in 2010, because he could command anything up to £80m now. Real Madrid are believed to be leading the chase. Rodriguez has set quite a pace.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Guillermo Ochoa

Was his display against Brazil the outstanding performance of the first round? Given the stakes, the pressure, and the extent of the siege, there is certainly an argument for it. Either way, there seems little argument that Ochoa has been the outstanding goalkeeper of the tournament so far. The sheer number of high-profile high-quality saves that the 28-year-old produced are in stark contrast to what has been a humble club career, having spent three years at lowly Ajaccio. Last season, they got relegated to Ligue 2. This summer, he should have earned a move to a better level.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Alexis Sanchez

All of a sudden, it seems ludicrous that Barcelona would consider selling Alexis, let alone use him as a mere makeweight on a deal to bring someone else in. The Chilean may have been largely under-whelming in his three years at Camp Nou, but this World Cup re-asserted why they initially signed him, as well as what kind of player he can be when used correctly. The two goals against Spain and Brazil were a display of his elite finishing, the pace that brought them the kind of dynamic play top clubs crave.

World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Karim Benzema

On top of the world right now, but also someone that finds himself in a similar situation to Alexis: Real Madrid would gladly bring in what they perceive to be a better forward, but he has used this tournament to illustrate the folly of that. Benzema has been one of the best players of the first four games, combining clutch finishing with classy build-up play that has been central to France’s joyful resurgence as a world force again. He has also enjoyed his own resurgence. Benzema is finally looking like the devastating talent that Real first signed for so much money. He could command a similar figure again.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Vincent Enyeama

It was the 31-year-old goalkeeper’s error that ultimately cost Nigeria the last-16 game against France, but that was all the more conspicuous because he had been so solid before then. In fact, it was arguably Enyeama’s supreme late save against Bosnia and Herzegovina that brought Nigeria so far, given the ultimately slim margin with which they won that game 1-0 and then qualified. It was not the only such stop, and even the 2-0 defeat to France saw plenty of defiance. Lille can expect some interest.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Islam Slimani

Algeria were one of the most progressive teams of the opening four games, and Slimani their brightest player. Just turned 26, his career has shown a steady upward curve, moving from CR Belouizdad to Sporting Lisbon in 2013, and now making his ability all the more widely known. The two goals in four World Cup games also mark a superior scoring ratio to recent seasons, and the type of productivity he should be offering as he approaches his prime. Slimani looks ready for one of Europe’s primary leagues.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Daryl Janmaat

Beyond the three established stars of Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, it is Daryl Janmaat who almost personifies the youthful nature of this Netherlands team. He is 24, still based at home with Feyenoord, and is one of their many defenders that has impressed in this tournament with his maturity. Janmaat has arguably made himself the pick of them, especially for the solid consistency he has demonstrated throughout, as well as the way he allows a more counter-attacking Dutch side to turn defence into attack. It won’t be too long until he personifies this team in another way: moving abroad.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Miralem Pjanic

The Roma midfielder’s easy talent was widely known before this tournament, but perhaps the key is that he’s applied it in difficult circumstances. Out of a Bosnia and Herzegovina side that almost totally under-performed and went out in such disappointing fashion, Pjanic was one of a handful players – as well as Muhamed Besic – that played above his level. A host of top European clubs were interested in the 24-year-old before this World Cup. They will now have to pay even more than anticipated.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Bryan Ruiz

To think that this was a player Fulham have been all too happy to discard, banishing him on loan to PSV Eindhoven last season. Of course, much of that was the fault of Ruiz himself . He looked conspicuously lazy in a team full of languid attackers. That appears to have revitalised him. Ruiz has been the driving force of Costa Rica’s historic tournament. It was not just about the goals he scored that brought such momentous results against Italy and Greece. It is also about the touches and technique, as he’s now really doing what a player of his talent should. Fulham can surely earn a much higher price now.

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World Cup 2014: 10 stars who have shone during the World Cup in Brazil

Ricardo Rodriguez

With the way he surges forward from full-back, the 21-year-old has epitomised the adventurous and brave nature of this impressive Swiss team, and he has proven so productive in their energetic attacks. The exceptional Xherdan Shaqiri has particularly benefited from the space that Rodriguez spots and creates. That follows on from the nine assists he cleverly created for Wolsfburg last season. Having already spent two years in the Bundesliga after a move from Zurich, he has undoubtedly displayed that he is prepared for a higher level.

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3. Manuel Neuer - their last line of defence

Per Mertesacker is slow, Jerome Boateng is rash and they lack proper full backs. These may well be truthful criticisms to level at this German defence, but the style of play implemented by Joachim Low dictates a high line that leaves the Arsenal skipper exposed. Despite this weakness, they have conceded just three goals in the tournament, thanks to the brilliant skills of Manuel Neuer. The Bayern man is one of the best sweeper-keepers in the business, and recorded an astonishing 21 touches outside his box against Algeria. Even if France find a way past the German defence, Neuer will be out like a flash to snuff out any real danger.

4. Sharpshooters

He may have missed a couple of gilt-edged chances against Algeria – and produced one of the worst free-kick routines ever – but Thomas Muller is lethal in front of goal. Coming into the game against the North Africans Muller had scored his nine World Cup goals from just 10 shots on target. In short giving him a chance is usually lethal. If that wasn’t enough Low can call upon the skills of veteran striker Miroslav Klose from the bench… the joint highest scorer in World Cup history.

5. History is on their side

Germany and France have played each other just three times in World Cups, with Germany winning twice and France just once, a 6-3 win way back in 1958. One of those German wins contained one of the most controversial moments in World Cup history, when Harald Schumacher took out Patrick Battison in the 1982 semi-final. Perhaps Manuel Neuer will adopt the same tactic should Karim Benzema find himself through on goal.

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