The day had begun with a vast range of potential outcomes but, even after so many twists, there was something inevitable about it ending with the mouth-watering prospect of a match between England and Germany.

On target: Mesut Ozil scores a superb goal for Germany against Ghana to set up a victory that secures a clash with England on Sunday afternoon

With 10 previous meetings in the World Cup or European Championship, it is just about the most intense and familiar of all football rivalries. Yet there is nothing remotely familiar about this Germany team.

Youthful, multicultural and multifaceted, it is a squad that is breaking down every conceivable old stereotype of an efficient but essentially dull German approach. They've even missed a penalty during this World Cup.

Yet before national expectation soars, it should be pointed out that England must improve considerably to even reach a shoot-out. Manager Joachim Low has been publicly urging Germany to “embarrass” their opponents and, so far, they play with an attacking freedom that supports a level of self-confidence that borders on arrogance.

The overall quality of the German performances has certainly exceeded those of England at this World Cup and, even in defeat against Serbia, they never wavered from their footballing principles.

With a settled 4-2-3-1 system, a solid midfield platform is provided by Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger, leaving the trio of Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Lukasz Podolski with the freedom to wreak havoc behind a lone central striker. Having served a one match suspension for the sending-off against Serbia, that forward is almost certain to be Mirolsav Klose, Germany's second highest ever goalscorer.

Klose has also scored five in each of the previous two World Cup finals, although his performances over the past season in the Bundesliga, where he managed just three goals, suggests that he is now a fading force.

While Klose might be the best known of the German players, the embodiment and star of this team is undoubtedly Ozil, a third-generation immigrant who believes that his technique derives from his Turkish heritage and his attitude is that of his German upbringing.

Always on the move and searching for a defence-splitting pass, Ozil has already established himself as the most exciting young player in the tournament. He plays directly behind Klose or Cacau and perpetually roams into that danger area between defence and midfield. His understanding with Muller and Podoloski is a particular feature of Germany’s football and there will be a huge onus on Gareth Barry to neutralise his threat.

Stuart Pearce, one of Fabio Capello’s assistants, will personally remember Ozil warily from the final of the European Under-21 championships in Sweden last summer when he orchestrated the 4-0 demolition of England.

Ozil was mesmerising in the 4-0 defeat of Australia at this World Cup and, with one swing of his left foot against Ghana, he not only clinched Germany’s place in the last 16 as Group D winners, but sounded a loud warning to England.

Pearce may also recall that Khedira, Jerome Boateng and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer all played in that Under-21 final and have since stepped up into the senior team. It all adds up a clash between what is the oldest-ever England World Cup squad and Germany’s youngest for some 76 years.

The inexperience of Germany has been a double-edged sword so far in this World Cup. They clearly play with absolutely no fear and there has been no sign of any compromise in a most entertaining approach.

They well take risks and so are also sometimes brittle as well as unpredictable. England can certainly derive hope from the way they suffered Germany almost self-inflicted defeat against a streetwise but limited Serbia last week.

Once ahead through Milan Jovanovic, Serbia simply defended deeply and narrowed the space for Ozil, Podolski and Muller between their defence and midfield.

The German defence has suffered only a sporadic threat during this World Cup bit, if England do penetrate the shield that is provided by Schweinsteiger and Khedira, there is every reason to believe that an inexperienced defence and goalkeeper will wobble.

England’s players have had considerably more Champions League exposure with their clubs and there is the possibility that the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney could, in a footballing sense, bully their younger opponents.

This Germany team undoubtedly has the potential to be one of the best in their history but, come Sunday, the big question will be simple: Are they ready? For many in Low’s squad, this World Cup represents the first of many chances to win a major international tournament. For the so-called ‘golden generation’ of England, it is surely the last.