The top ranked side against the second best. Both battling for the chance to become the first ever team to win three World Cup titles, having won four out of the prior six tournaments. It all has the perfect ingredients for a final - the USWNT taking on bitter rivals Germany. Unfortunately, though, this game will not be taking place on July 5th, but rather at the semi-finals stage tomorrow, meaning that one of these highly esteemed squads will have to head home early, whilst the other will fight it out with England, who will be making their first-ever appearance at this stage or perhaps Japan for the title of the world's best squad.
Whilst the England vs. Japan game will also be an interesting one, all eyes will be firmly focused on the clash between two heavyweights of women's football on Tuesday evening in Montreal. And given that both Germany and USA have cemented their status as the top teams in the women's game, they have a rich and fascinating history. We take a look at their head to head record and some other interesting facts to deduce who will likely emerge as winners after 90 minutes or more of scintillating action.
1. Winner of this match takes all? The odds appear to say so...
In total, Germany and the USA have met three times at past World Cups, two of which were during the semi-finals stage. The first was at the inaugural edition, played in 1991 in China which ended as a 5-2 win in favour of the Americans, who would then win their first ever title. Germany would face off against perpetual opponents Sweden in the third-placed match, and ended up finishing fourth after the Swedes crushed them 4-0, with now coach Pia Sundhage opening the scoring.
Eight years later, the two would meet again, this time in the quarter-finals. The United States were holding the event on home soil for the first time and were vying to become the first hosts to win the World Cup. Despite Brandi Chastian scoring an embarrassing own goal early on, team USA rallied back to defeat Germany 3-2 before eventually powering past China in a tense penalty shootout at California's Rose Bown stadium.
Finally, the most most recent meeting was during the 2003 edition of this quadrennial tournament, in which the Germans cruised past the United States 3-0 during the semi-finals en route to beating Sweden 2-1 thanks to a golden goal from Nia Künzer. Meanwhile, hosts USA had to settle for third after defeating Canada 3-1 in the consolation match.
2. Meanest defense vs. the most potent attack
It will truly be a tactical battle indeed between the Stars and Stripes and die Nationalelf as the toughest defense in the tournament takes on the most feared offense. Jill Ellis's side have conceded just one goal so far - during their 3-1 win over Australia in their opening match of their group stages. Meanwhile, Silvia Neid's ladies have scored a massive 20 goals - although ten of them came against a vastly inferior Ivory Coast side making their debut - and will be keen on really making the USA back-line work hard over the course of what will be a tough match for the top two sides in women's football.
Will it be a match won by the defense or sheer offensive firepower? We will be all eagerely looking forward to finding out tomorrow evening.
3. A long history of winning
Not surprisingly, both teams have enjoyed a great deal of success at World Cups. The USA boast a record of 31 wins, six draws, and just four losses and have netted a total of 105 goals. Meanwhile Germany have won 26, drawn five, and lost six matches, but have scored a grand total of 111 goals so far over their seven World Cup appearances. So whilst the USWNT enjoy a better overall record in terms of wins they have played more matches, and more important, Germany's two titles won in 2003 and 2007 set two records. Firstly, they are the only team to successfully defend their title and naturally were heartbroken when Japan spoiled their plans to make it three for three - and on home soil - during the tournament in 2011.
And secondly, in 2007, they became the first ever team to win a World Cup without conceding a single goal from the group stages to defeating Brazil 2-0 in the final.
4. How the coaches compare
Silvia Neid, who took over in June 2005, enjoyed quite a successful spell as a player during her days as a midfielder with the Germany national team and at club level with both TSV Siegen and Bergisch Gladbach 09. As a manager, she has already won one World Cup, two UEFA Women's Championships and earned bronze at the 2008 Olympic games. All in all, she has won 111 out of her 149 games since taking over, with just 18 losses and 20 draws.
Her tacticial opponent, Jill Ellis does not boast the same kind of record, but the English-born manager has a long history of coaching, albeit none as difficult as the one she assumed when taking over in 2014 and she is seeking to add a major trophy to her CV after guiding the team to their 10th Algarve Cup win earlier this year.
5. Shootout = advantage Germany?
Despite winning their second World Cup after prevailing on spot-kicks against China back in 1999, penalty shoot-outs are a mixed bag for the USWNT. Four years ago, they would again be paired with an Asian side seeking to make history and win their first ever title and unfortunately, it would not end in team USA's favour as Japan prevailed in what was one of the biggest upsets at that tournament.
Meanwhile, Germany have always prevailed when it comes to a shoot-out at a World Cup, with the women's side showing why, like their male counterparts they are ranked no. 1 in the world by seeing off France 5-4 after a tense 120 minutes of action. In total, Germany's men's and women's teams have won all five out of their World Cup penalty shoot-outs to date.
Given this, the USWNT will certainly hope to avoid a game decided on penalties and will be hoping that the Germans will be still mentally and physically drained after their battle with France last week. In this clash of titans, it is tough to pick a "favourite" as to who will progress, but unfortunately, only one will have a shot at making history on July 5th whilst the other will have to settle for a possible third-place in the consolation game on July 4th.
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