Germany, Argentina 2006 World Cup Statistics

A review of the teams’ shots at goal provides a minor surprise: the Germans have required 78 attempts, 38 of them on target, to record their ten goals, almost twice as many as Argentina, who have the same number of goals from 41 attempts, 21 of them on target.

Both teams have landed roughly half their attempts on the target (Germany 49 per cent, Argentina 51 per cent), so the South Americans clearly rate as the more efficient of the pair. Approximately every fourth Argentine effort has resulted in a goal (24 per cent), whereas the Germans have only netted one shot in eight (13 per cent).

Germany are ahead by a wafer-thin margin in terms of passing. Klinsmann's team have completed 1,748 of a total of 2,070 passes (84 per cent), whereas the Argentines have found a team-mate with 1,666 out of 1,998 (83 per cent). The hosts have had more success with their crosses too, landing 33 out of 111 on a team-mate's head, chest or foot (30 per cent). By comparison Argentina have managed this on only ten occasions out of 66 (15 per cent).

The Germans are also slightly ahead on discipline with five yellow cards compared with Argentina’s eight bookings. Germany have committed 66 fouls to the South Americans' 69, although the situation is reversed for fouls suffered: opponents have fouled Argentina 83 times to Germany’s 70.

The hosts lead the way in terms of possession, having controlled the ball for 227 minutes in their four matches to Argentina's 205 minutes. Much more surprisingly, the Albiceleste have only launched a paltry six counterattacks, compared to an impressive 26 quick-fire breaks by the host nation.

Ultimately, however, the Argentines will derive both comfort and inspiration from their overall record in this tantalising fixture. The two nations have met 16 times at full international level, with five wins for Germany, four draws, and seven Argentine victories, the two-time world champions finding the net 23 times to the Europeans’ tally of 22.