Germany have shown just how far a little teamwork can get you in the World Cup, as they thrash Argentina 4-0 to cruise into the semi-final.

Germany were 14-1 to lift the Fifa World Cup trophy at the start of the tournament, as many feared the squad was simply too inexperienced to advance far in the competition. One thing everyone should have learned by now about the Germans, however, is to never underestimate them.

When so many teams in this year’s World Cup are performing less than the sum of their parts, the Germans really are bucking the trend. Germany manager Joachim Loew has not been afraid to blood some of the young players that were key to Germany winning the U21 European Championship last summer, and his team has really benefited.

Players like Thomas Muller and Mesut Özil have brought a freshness to the German side, and some quality to boot. The real key to the German success, however, has been their teamwork. While the Argentine players all wanted to do it by themselves, the Germans were totally unselfish, always playing the right ball.

I can’t remember one German player blasting the ball high and wide from a ridiculously long way out when he had a colleague in a better position.  I need more fingers to count how many times the Argentines resorted to long range shooting. The German players are not interested in their own personal goals; they play as a team and win as a team.

Now comes the real test for Joachim Loew and his young team. Spain were the favourites going into the tournament and are yet to really come alive, even though they‘ve made it to the semi-final. Few would bet against this German team now making it three historic victories in a row, however.

Highlights – Germany v Argentina