Pictures of the German knockout round: A joint kneel, missed opportunities and English ecstasy

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Joachim Löw has been responsible for the German national soccer team as national coach since 2006.

Without hesitation, his term of office can be described as an era, the 2014 World Cup as its climax.

The last chapter in Löw's DFB story now closed in London's football temple Wembley.

Photo: Christian Charisius / dpa

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The opponent: England, so far in the tournament without conceding a goal.

The defense around Kyle Walker formed against Germany in a five-man chain.

Hard work awaited the Germans.

Photo: Catherine Ivill / Getty Images

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Before the kick-off, there was a moment of unity: the British and Germans symbolically fell on their knees against racism and discrimination.

Photo: Nick Potts / dpa

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Then things got off to a promising start for the DFB-Elf: Leon Goretzka was up and away after eight minutes after a through pass from Thomas Müller.

Declan Rice fouled just outside the penalty area line.

Had Walker not been around, the offense would have been rated as an emergency brake.

Photo:

Carl Recine - Pool / Getty Images

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The momentum from the beginning did not last long, England came into play better and better.

This shot by Raheem Sterling, which Manuel Neuer defused with a parade, was a harbinger of the English offensive power that has so far only been tentatively used in the tournament.

Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP

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But Neuer's opposite Jordan Pickford is playing a strong tournament, probably even the stronger one.

Against the DFB-Elf he closed the short corner in front of Timo Werner.

Photo: MATTHEW CHILDS / AFP

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In stoppage time it got really tight again: Mats Hummels unpacked the tackle in his own six-yard room and cleared in front of Harry Kane.

Photo: ULMER / imago images / ULMER press picture agency

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Even after the break, Pickford was on the job.

After a wonderful volley by Kai Havertz, the man from FC Everton destroyed the dream goal with a great reaction and steered the ball over the bar.

Photo: Frank Augstein / AP

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Havertz, who has so far been the best German European Championship goalscorer with two goals, did not have many opportunities.

That was because Löw had ordered him out of the storm into right midfield, but also because of the strong English defense around Manchester United professional Harry Maguire.

Photo: Carl Recine - Pool / Getty Images

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Sterling also had two goals ahead of the game, but unlike his German counterpart, the winger followed up with a third: In the 75th minute, the man, who grew up just a stone's throw from the stadium, brought a flat cross from Luke Shaw over the line .

Photo: CARL RECINE / REUTERS

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The English leadership a quarter of an hour before the end did not ring in any German offensive fireworks, but Thomas Müller still had a huge chance of equalizing after a counterattack.

He put the ball inches past the post.

Photo:

Christian Charisius / dpa

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12/13

On the other hand, the English made it better again.

After Kane's first goal in the 86th minute, the thing was through.

Photo: Catherine Ivill / Getty Images

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13/13

For England coach Gareth Southgate, the victory in the prestige duel was also a personal success.

He was often criticized in the English press for his defensive tactics - now he can claim that his success proves him right.

Photo: Frank Augstein / POOL / EPA

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