A football history of Germany vs. France
For the fourth time in history, the "Equipe Tricolore" are due to take on Germany at the World Cup. Here's a look back at the history of the tussles between the two European footballing heavyweights over the years.
Nine goals in Göteborg
Football matches between Germany and France have always been extra special. The two teams first played in a World Cup in Sweden in 1958 in the playoff for third place. The French beat the Germans 6-3 in the match in a high-scoring affair. France's Just Fontaine, who scored 13 times at the 1958 tournament, ended the match with four goals to his name.
Crude attack
Some 24 years later Germany played France again at the semi-final stage of the 1982 World Cup in Spain. The teams were neck and neck when German keeper Harald "Toni" Schumacher tackled Patrick Battiston in the 50th minute. While trying to grab the ball, Schumacher jumped at Battiston, injuring him badly.
No punishment
Battiston didn't move after the tackle and he had lost a number of teeth. The referee didn't even give Schumacher a yellow card. The German keeper, who didn't go to check on his opponent after the incident, remained unpopular in France for years afterwards.
Match winner
The game went into extra time and then to penalties. Toni Schumacher ended up saving the game for Germany, stopping two of the penalties. Germany made the final, which they lost 3-1 to Italy. Schumacher apologized to Battiston after the tournament.
Heatwave
Four years later Battiston and Schumacher were due to face off once more, as Germany and France again met in a World Cup semi-final, this time in Mexico. Just as they did four years earlier, the German team came out on top, winning 2-0. Andreas Brehme and Rudi Völler scored the goals in humid Guadalajara.
Devastated captain
For France's superstar Michel Platini the semi-final loss against Germany was his last World Cup game. He never managed to win a World Cup title. In the playoff for third place, a French second team played Belgium and Platini wasn't on the pitch. A year later the Frenchman ended his career. He's now UEFA President.
France dominates
After 1987, Germany was unable to win for 26 years against France. Even though none of the matches took place at a World Cup or European Championships, The French were clearly dominant. In the six matches between the two countries, "Les Bleus" won five times and drew once.
A new trend?
In the most recent game between Germany and France, the DFB team managed a 2-1 win in a friendly in Paris. Could that be a sign of how the match might go on Friday night? Probably not. After all, the game in question took place over a year and a half ago.