Defending champions Germany will rely on six starters from the 2014 final against Argentina when they arrive in Russia. Joachim Low’s side are four years older, four years wiser.
Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil were in the side when Mario Gotze scored his extra-time winner against Argentina in the Maracana.
Gotze, told by Low to prove he is “better than Messi” when he sent him on as a substitute in Rio de Janeiro, misses out because form and motivation have deserted him.
The rest are raring to go.