Day before World Cup final

Day before World Cup final

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Germany players Sami Khedira (L) and Mesut Ozil take part in training in Rio de Janeiro on July 12, 2014, ahead of a World Cup final against Argentina the following day.

Germany beat France 1-0 in World Cup quarterfinal

Germany beat France 1-0 in World Cup quarterfinal

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Germany's Mesut Ozil (R) and France's Mathieu Debuchy chase the ball during the first half of a World Cup quarterfinal soccer match at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 4, 2014. Germany won 1-0 to advance to the semifinals.

Germany defeat Algeria 2-1

Germany defeat Algeria 2-1

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil - Mesut Ozil (8) of Germany reacts after scoring a goal past Algeria goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi (23) in the second half of extra-time of a World Cup Round of 16 match at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 30, 2014. Germany won 2-1.

Germany defeat Algeria 2-1

Germany defeat Algeria 2-1

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil - Mesut Ozil (C) of Germany celebrates after a 2-1 victory over Algeria in a World Cup Round of 16 match at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 30, 2014.

Germany defeat Algeria 2-1

Germany defeat Algeria 2-1

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil - Mesut Ozil (8) of Germany shoots in the first half of a World Cup Round of 16 match against Algeria at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 30, 2014. Algeria players Mehdi Mostefa (22) and Aissa Mandi (20) can be seen. Germany won 2-1.

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

RECIFE, Brazil - Germany players -- (from L) Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer (1), Benedikt Howedes (4), Thomas Muller (13), Toni Kroos (18), Andre Schurrle (9), Miroslav Klose and Roman Weidenfeller (22) -- acknowledge cheers from supporters after Germany beat the Unites States 1-0 in a World Cup Group G match at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, on June 26, 2014. Germany finished first in the group and advanced to the second round.

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

RECIFE, Brazil - Germany's Mesut Ozil (C) and Jerome Boateng (R) congratulate teammate Thomas Muller (13) after Muller scored a goal during the second half of a World Cup Group G match against the United States at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, on June 26, 2014. Germany won 1-0.

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

RECIFE, Brazil - Germany's Mesut Ozil (R) shoots during the first half of a World Cup Group G match against the United States at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, on June 26, 2014. Germany won 1-0.

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

RECIFE, Brazil - Germany's Mesut Ozil looks to pass the ball during the first half of a World Cup Group G match against the United States at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, on June 26, 2014. Germany won 1-0.

Germany crush Portugal 4-0

Germany crush Portugal 4-0

SALVADOR, Brazil - Mesut Ozil (8) of Germany shoots the ball in the second half of a Group G match against Portugal at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, on June 16, 2014. Germany won 4-0.

Germany crush Portugal 4-0

Germany crush Portugal 4-0

SALVADOR, Brazil - Mesut Ozil (8) of Germany dribbles the ball in the first half of a Group G match against Portugal at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, on June 16, 2014. At left is Fabio Coentrao of Portugal. Germany won 4-0.

Germany defeat Algeria 2-1

Germany defeat Algeria 2-1

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil - Mesut Ozil (8) of Germany shoots in the first half of a World Cup Round of 16 match against Algeria at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 30, 2014. Algeria players Mehdi Mostefa (22) and Aissa Mandi (20) can be seen. Germany won 2-1. (Kyodo)

Germany defeat Algeria 2-1

Germany defeat Algeria 2-1

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil - Mesut Ozil (8) of Germany reacts after scoring a goal past Algeria goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi (23) in the second half of extra-time of a World Cup Round of 16 match at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on June 30, 2014. Germany won 2-1. (Kyodo)

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

RECIFE, Brazil - Germany players -- (from L) Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer (1), Benedikt Howedes (4), Thomas Muller (13), Toni Kroos (18), Andre Schurrle (9), Miroslav Klose and Roman Weidenfeller (22) -- acknowledge cheers from supporters after Germany beat the Unites States 1-0 in a World Cup Group G match at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, on June 26, 2014. Germany finished first in the group and advanced to the second round. (Kyodo)

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

RECIFE, Brazil - Germany's Mesut Ozil looks to pass the ball during the first half of a World Cup Group G match against the United States at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, on June 26, 2014. Germany won 1-0. (Kyodo)

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

RECIFE, Brazil - Germany's Mesut Ozil (C) and Jerome Boateng (R) congratulate teammate Thomas Muller (13) after Muller scored a goal during the second half of a World Cup Group G match against the United States at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, on June 26, 2014. Germany won 1-0. (Kyodo)

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

Germany beat U.S. 1-0

RECIFE, Brazil - Germany's Mesut Ozil (R) shoots during the first half of a World Cup Group G match against the United States at Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, on June 26, 2014. Germany won 1-0. (Kyodo)

Football: Germany vs South Korea at World Cup

Football: Germany vs South Korea at World Cup

Germany coach Joachim Loew (L) gives instructions to Mesut Ozil (10) during a World Cup Group F match against South Korea in Kazan, Russia, on June 27, 2018. South Korea won 2-0. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Football: Germany vs South Korea at World Cup

Football: Germany vs South Korea at World Cup

Germany's Mesut Ozil (10) and his teammates react following their defeat to South Korea 2-0 in a World Cup Group F match in Kazan, Russia, on June 27, 2018. With the loss, defending champions Germany crashed out of the World Cup. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo