First game of the cup. Germany are famous for tearing opposition apart in the opening match. 

2002 8:0 vs KSA
2006 4:2 vs Costa Rica 
2008 2:0 vs Poland 
2010 4:0 vs Australia 
2012 1:0 vs Portugal 
2014 4:0 vs Portugal 
2016 2:0 vs Ukraine 

They're also famous for stuffing up game two. The couldn't defeat Ireland, Croatia, Serbia, Ghana or Poland. They needed a 93rd minute winner against Poland in 2006.

All of that aside, this is a completely new look squad. With just over 150 combined caps, the side hosts an insane amount of top league experience for their respective ages. They drew 1:1 in Denmark with a very late equaliser and comfortably beat San Marino. While rusty functioning as a team, they pack individual brilliance that sees them superior to slow, lazy defence. 

Their weakness is their back three when their wingbacks are too high and their high confidence leading to risky passing from the back. Like in the friendly,  we should play 433. In turn if Leckie and Behich get up enough and come central, we could see a few decent 3 on 3 situationswith Rogic hovering somewhere. 


Expect a lineup of: ter Stegen- Süle, Rüdiger, Mustafi - Goretzka, Can - Kimmich, Draxler, Hector - Werner, Wagner