Germany 2010
Germany at South Africa 2010 unveiled the thrilling young generation that would go on to win the 2014 World Cup. Joachim Löw's side played with a fearless attacking verve that electrified the tournament. Thomas Müller, just 20 years old, won the Golden Boot with 5 goals and the Best Young Player award. Mesut Özil, Sami Khedira, and Bastian Schweinsteiger dominated the midfield. The round of 16 brought a historic 4-1 demolition of England in Bloemfontein a match remembered for Frank Lampard's disallowed goal that clearly crossed the line, the mirror image of Wembley 1966. In the quarter-final, Germany destroyed Argentina 4-0 Müller, Klose, and Friedrich rampant. Only Spain's tiki-taka stopped them in the semi-final (1-0). Germany finished third, but the tournament announced a new force: the blueprint for 2014 was born.