Germany's semi-final pedigree: Hosts beware
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
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Germany will be looking to make it six wins from eight EURO semi-finals against France, and ominously for Les Bleus they have defeated the host nation four times at this stage.
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1972: Belgium 1-2 West Germany (Polleunis 83; G Müller 24 71)
After failing to qualify at the first attempt in 1968, West Germany took the tournament by storm as debutants four years later thanks to arch-predator Gerd Müller. Belgium were seeking to emulate Italy and Spain as winners on home soil but were undone by 'Der Bomber' in Deurne, Günter Netzer setting up the prolific striker either side of the break. Although Odilon Polleunis pulled one back, Helmut Schön's men were heading for the final – where Müller again struck twice in a 3-0 defeat of the Soviet Union.
1976: Yugoslavia 2-4 West Germany (Popivoda 19, Džajić 30; Flohe 64, D Müller 82 115 119)
The holders were close to packing their bags in Belgrade until Schön made one of the most inspired substitutions of all time. Danilo Popivoda and Dragan Džajić had given the hosts a 2-0 lead and were still looking strong after Heinz Flohe's deflected effort – yet all that changed when Schön brought on the uncapped Dieter Müller 11 minutes from the end. The debutant earned extra time with his very first touch and then scored two more to cap an unlikely comeback triumph.
1988: West Germany 1-2 Netherlands (Matthäus 55pen; R Koeman 74pen, Van Basten 88)
Champions in 1980 – when the group winners progressed directly to the final – West Germany went 12 years between last-four contests, but their next turned out to be another instant classic. Playing on home soil in Hamburg, the Mannschaft had the showpiece in their sights, especially after Lothar Matthäus tucked away a second-half penalty. However, their neighbours were in no mood to be beaten, and Ronald Koeman converted a spot kick of his own before Marco van Basten hooked in a dramatic late clincher.
1992: Sweden 2-3 Germany (Brolin 64pen, Andersson 89; Hässler 11, Riedle 59 88)
Having lost a semi-final as hosts in 1988, Germany resumed their habit of defeating the home team when they crushed Swedish dreams in Solna four years later. Thomas Hässler's superb early free-kick set the tone and Karl-Heinz Riedle doubled the German advantage – which he also restored late on after Thomas Brolin had slotted in a penalty. Kennet Andersson's even later strike was in vain as Berti Vogts' side booked their ticket to the final – where Sweden's Nordic neighbours Denmark lay in wait.
1996: Germany 1-1 England (aet; Germany win 6-5 on pens) (Kuntz 16; Shearer 3)
England were the next home team to be left heartbroken by the Germans, despite a quick-fire start in which tournament top scorer Alan Shearer nodded in from a corner. Stefan Kuntz turned in a Thomas Helmer cross shortly after, and a tight Wembley contest went to extra time – where the Three Lions almost snatched a golden goal through both Darren Anderton and Paul Gascoigne. To penalties then, and after Andreas Köpke denied Gareth Southgate, Andreas Möller delivered the decisive blow.
2008: Germany 3-2 Turkey (Schweinsteiger 26, Klose 79, Lahm 90; Uğur Boral 22 Semih Şentürk 86)
Having become masters of the late goal in Austria and Switzerland, Turkey finally got a taste of their own medicine as Joachim Löw's men edged a roller-coaster epic in Basel. Missing a raft of players, Turkey led for once through Uğur Boral, though Bastian Schweinsteiger quickly equalised and Miroslav Klose handed Germany the advantage with 11 minutes left. Turkey, of course, responded, Semih Şentürk pouncing at the near post, but the final word went to Philipp Lahm, who capped a dizzying game with a rare strike in the 90th minute.
2012: Germany 1-2 Italy (Özil 90+2pen; Balotelli 20 36)
Italy proved Germany's nemesis once again to avert a rerun of the 2008 final, the Azzurri neutralising their opponents' dynamic approach while Mario Balotelli did the damage at the other end. The in-form attacker was all power and poise in Warsaw, flashing a header past Manuel Neuer and rifling an emphatic effort into the top corner. Mesut Özil hit a late penalty, but Germany lost for an eighth time in competitive meetings with Italy – a sequence they finally halted in the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter-finals.