“Football is a simple game. 22 men chase after a ball for 90 minutes, and in the end the Germans always win. This quote has become over the years and the victories of the FRG, then of reunited Germany in major international competitions, one of the most famous remarks in football history. The former center forward from Tottenham had spoken his words after a semi-final lost on penalties at the 1990 World Cup. Dejected, the English striker seemed to bow to the superiority of the Mannschaft on the ground. It must be said that the German selection is quadruple world champion and triple European champion, while the English selection of A can only be proud of a victory in the 1966 World Cup.
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France bête noire of Germany
Except that in recent years, fate has been less lenient with our neighbors across the Rhine.
The Germans were taken out from the group stage at the 2018 World Cup, and routed several times since, especially last March during a defeat against North Macedonia.
In addition, Germany started its Euro Tuesday night with a defeat against France (1-0), and lost its opening match for the first time in its history in a Euro.
For Leicester fan Gary Lineker, it was therefore time to give a little update on his famous projection.
“I think the old quote
and in the end the Germans still win could
be withdrawn,” the famous consultant said on Twitter on Wednesday.
Think the old 'and at the end the Germans always win' quote might have to be retired.
- Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) June 16, 2021
Statistically, the conclusion is clear: the Germans have not beaten France since their victory in 2014 in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil.
France thus remains on a recent record of four wins and two draws against neighbors from across the Rhine.
It was even a German who offered them victory on Tuesday, the unfortunate Mats Hummels, tragic irony if any.