Germany’s penalty shoot-out win over Italy was as tense as they come, but for many the result was never in doubt.
The last time Die Mannschaft lost on penalties at a major tournament, the game was between two countries (West Germany and Czechoslovakia) that no longer exist.
Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger all missed from the spot, which is quite remarkable given the Germans’ past history.
In 2006, they scored four out of four to see off Argentina at the World Cup.
All six German penalties found the back of the English net at Euro 96.
And it was four out of four in 1990 against the same opposition.
So you can understand Bayern Munich’s confidence when referee Victor Kassai blew his whistle to signal the end of extra-time.
Aus! Elfmeterschießen. Wer gewinnt #GERITA?
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) July 2, 2016
Asking followers who will win the penalty shoot-out, Bayern gave three options: Germany, Germany and Germany.
It’s as if they knew Simone Zaza, Graziano Pelle, Leo Bonucci and Matteo Darmian would fail to convert from the spot. Perhaps they didn’t predict the manner of Zaza’s miss, mind you.
Football is a simple game, after all. 22 men chase a ball for 120 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.
