England V Germany In Pictures: A History Of World Cup Rivals
THE South Africa World Cup pits England against Germany…again. The jingoism will take in the World War I Christmas truce, when on 25 December 1914, British and German troops played a game of football in no-man’s land near Armentieres, France. (The Germans won 3-2.)
But you don’t need war to make the England v Germany game one to send a shiver down the spine. Yes, on May 14, 1938, in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, England’s players gave the Nazi salute before a friendly game with Germany. (England won 6-3.)
But if you love the sport not the polemic, what about 1966, of course, with the late German equaliser to take it to 2-2 and extra time?
Or how about that brilliant Germany comeback in Mexico 1970, when Cup holders England were 2-0 up and lost 3-2?
There was more England pain inflicted at German hands in 1982, when undefeated England could not beat eventual finalists West Germany and were sent home from the World Cup. And it was the Germans again beating an undefeated England on penalties in Italia 90 and again at England’s 1996 European Championships. Germany got medals. England got Gazza’s tears and Southgate’s pizza adverts. It was agony.
It is the Germans, like no other team, who put England in their place. If England are good, they beat them. If England are average, they don’t. But it wasn’t always like this.
Germany and England contested their first full international in May 1930 – the game ended 3-3. Germany would not beat England until 1968. Up to then England had won eight games on the bounce. 1968 was a watershed moment. Germany would go on to contest five World Cup finals (two wins) and 6 European Championships finals (three wins). In that time, England have had two semi-final defeats to… Well, you know who to.
But it is not all grim for England. Since 1968, England and Germany have met in either the European Championship or World Cup on nine occasions. Germany have won five times (twice on penalties). England have won twice. And there have been two draws.
It’s close. Closer than you might think. Presenting a rivalry in pictures:
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Posted: 24th, June 2010 | In: Key Posts, Sports Comments (5) | TrackBack | Permalink
