Germany: History in major tournaments.

Germany have won the World Cup on three occasions, with their most recent success coming in 1990, and only Brazil and Italy have won the competition more times. 

For most of their World Cup history they have been split in to two countries, East and West Germany, with the West side of the country achieving all three successes.

In the same year as their most recent World Cup triumph, the county became reunified, but since then their best finish was runners-up to Brazil in 2002, where they were beaten 2-0.

Germany have achieved the feat of runners-up on four occasions and will be hoping to avoid being bridesmaids in this years contest.

Their World Cup record is perhaps the strongest of all teams, having played the most matches (99) and scored the most goals (222) in FIFA World Cup finals.

Germany’s first World Cup win came in 1954, where they surprised many to lift the trophy in Switzerland, beating Hungary 3-2 in the final, after being 2-0 down.

German captain, Franz Beckenbauer, led the host nation to their second World Cup success 20 years later. West Germany defeated European neighbours, Netherlands 2-1 in the final, once again coming from behind to lift the trophy.

In 2006, Germany hosted the World Cup once more, but were defeated 2-0 by Italy in the semi-finals. The match had been goalless for nearly 120 minutes, before two goals in as many minutes from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero defeated them on home soil.

The most recent World Cup in South Africa saw them crash out in the semi-finals to eventual winners, Spain, becoming the first World Cup final not to feature at least one of Argentina, Brazil, Germany or Italy.

Despite their general success in the World Cup, the last time they won a major tournament was in Euro 1996 in England, after defeating Czech Republic 2-1 in the final in extra time. 

With a number of experienced players, representing teams in the most competitive club competitions, many people will expect Germany to be one of the best teams in the 2014 World Cup.

Germany: Road to the World Cup:

Germany finished unbeaten in Group C of the World Cup Qualifiers and only dropped points in a bizarre 4-4 draw against Sweden, after they were leading 4-0.

A total of 28 points in nine matches ensured that they comfortably topped the group with a goal difference of +26 and Sweden eight points behind them in second.

Midfield maestro, Mesut Ozil, finished with the most goals, finding the net eight times and was supported by Marco Reus who scored five times.

Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose also scored four goals and the latter enters this World Cup contest needing just one more goal to equal Ronaldo’s World Cup record of 15 goals.

Germany’s qualification began with an easy 3-0 win over the group’s weakest side, the Faroe Islands, handing them a simple start to their route to Brazil after a brace from Ozil.

Next, they travelled to European neighbours, Austria, where Ozil found the net once more, supported by Reus as they emerged as 2-1 winners.

Against the Republic of Ireland they inflicted a 6-1 thrashing away from home after a double from Reus and Toni Kroos gave them an unassailable lead.

Next came Sweden, where the led 4-0 after strikes from Miroslav gave them an early two-goal cushion. Per Mertescaker snuck in a third and when Arsenal team mate, Ozil, put his side four goals ahead, they seemed to have won the match.

But goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Johan Elmander sparked a recovery from Sweden and a late strike from Rasmus Elm gave his side a memorable draw.

After being sucker punched by Sweden, Germany restored their confidence with a convincing win over Kazakhstan, giving them their first clean sheet.  

Early goals for Mueller and Mario Goezte gave them a two-goal lead at halftime and Mueller added a second to guide them to a 3-0 win over a far weaker side.

Germany returned home to beat Kazakhstan 4-1 just four days later in the reverse fixture as a double from Reus ensured they would achieve their fifth win in six matches.

Next came Austria, who they hammered 3-0 after goals from Klose, Kroos and Mueller handed them successive home victories after a seven-month gap between their last match.

Four days later they travelled to the Faroe Islands, where they won by the same margin to earn their seventh win. Goals from Mertesacker, Ozil and Muller brushed aside the opposition, by which time they had secured a place in the World Cup.

Their penultimate match saw the return leg against the Republic of Ireland, where a 3-0 win ruined Martin O’Neill’s hopes for claiming second place.

Germany completed a dominant run in fitting style, defeating Sweden 5-3 as they exacted revenge after they caused them to drop points in their 4-4 draw.

This match saw Germany’s only hat trick of the qualifying stages, as Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle added to his tally after scoring in the previous match. 

Star player: Marco Reus.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder scored five goals in Germany’s World Cup Qualifiers and represents the strength of homegrown talent from the German Bundesliga to have broken into the National set-up.

Since his move from Borussia Monchengladbach to Borussia Dortmund, he has scored 39 times in just two seasons and is renowned for both his speed and service to the strikers.

Reus found the net twice in Germany’s first World Cup Qualifier in their 6-1 triumph against the Republic of Ireland and scored a second brace at home to Kazakhstan, where Germany came out 4-1 winners.

His ability to play on both wings and through the middle of the park makes him one of the more versatile players in the Germany squad and his presence will be valuable as they attempt to lift the trophy for a fourth time.

Featuring in six of Germany’s ten Qualifying matches, Reus will face competition for a regular place in the team, with the likes of Mesut Ozil, and Thomas Muller also scoring plenty of goals en route to Brazil.

During his time at Borussia Monchengladbach, he was named as German Footballer of the Year in 2012, after scoring 21 goals in 32 appearances in the 2011-12 season in all competitions.

Dortmund secured his long-term services in a five-year deal, putting a €17.1 million price tag on the German winger.

Reus’ imperious record has led to speculation of a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Manchester United both believed to scout him, as well as interest from French giants, Paris Saint-Germain.

But with a release clause in his current contract at Dortmund, the midfielder’s value is now believed to be closer to €35 million.

In recent years, Dortmund have struggled to keep some of their most valuable players, losing both Robert Lewandowski and Mario Goetze to Bayern Munich in lucrative deals.

But Reus remains an active member of the Dortmund squad and his high price tag means that only the best teams will be able to tempt him to move away from Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Reus has scored five goals in this years Champions League contest for Borussia Dortmund, with only Lewandowski having scored more goals (six).

A recent contribution saw a brace against Real Madrid in the quarterfinals, but he was unable to help his side overcome a 3-0 defeat at the Bernabeau, despite two first-half goals.  

Perhaps his greatest honour came in 2013, where he was named in the FIFA Team of the Year, alongside the likes of Gareth Bale, Franck Ribery and compatriot, Ozil.

In a belligerent German outfit, Reus will be a key component as they look to see off Portugal, U.S.A and Ghana and progress from Group G.