Every FIFA World Cup Winner Ranked From Worst To Best

Whilst the subsequent treatment of Mesut Özil following Germany’s 2018 World Cup no show has taken the shine of the cultural significance of Die Mannschaft’s 2014 multicultural triumph, the side which was so successful in Brazil was truly special.

A side constructed with no apparent weak points and which boasted talents like Neuer, Lahm, Kroos, Özil and the all-time top goal scorer in World Cups Miroslav Klose, navigated the early stages of the tournament with relative ease and only a few bumps.

But despite the tournament culminating in a 1-0 extra time win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina, courtesy of a Mario Götze goal, perhaps the side's defining moment was the semi-final masterclass over Brazil.

The hosts Brazil were tournament favourites. However, having lost their star Neymar to injury, they looked to have recalibrated their side to match Germany. 7 goals later and Brazil were left in tears, shell-shocked by a more organised, intelligent and physical side, whose guile and craft seemed peerless.

Rarely does a semi-final define a World Cup winning side. In the case of Germany, it was a message to the rest of the World: they were champions in waiting.