Germany are the first team into the quarter-finals with a dour 1-0 win over Paraguay.
But are Rudi Voeller's side good enough to win it?
Oliver Neuville's late winner guaranteed the Germans a quarter-final game against either Mexico or USA, but Voeller's team looked decidedly mediocre in victory.
Even so, the goals of Miroslav Klose combined with a hard-working midfield and the world class goalkeeping of Oliver Kahn make Germany an outfit other teams will be keen to avoid.
Are Germany back among the front-runners for World Cup glory?
Germany are not good at all. They only just scraped through the last games, and do not deserve to be in the quarter finals. Once again they have proved to be the luckiest team in the competition with such easy games. Only Brazil have had such terrible opposition.
I hope they will be knocked out in the next game, because the World Cup is poorer for their presence in the later stages.
With a late goal by Neuville, the Germans have yet to convince. Despite their apparent recovery from the Munich debacle with their crushing of the Saudis, they have yet to show the German grit of previous eras.
Bobby Seagull, England
This is far from the greatest German team of all time, but the lower pre-tournament expectations have taken much pressure off the team. Their team sprit is such that even the absence of key players like Scholl and Deisler are not being missed. With good team sprit, a little luck and enough good players, Germany can reach the final.
Raj Patel, England
We should know the Germans, they can win it. I don't think they will, but they are capable. Whoever doubted them? Haven't these so-called pundits learnt anything from the past 40 years?
They haven't shown any conviction in any of the matches they have played and hardly function as a team, so far they have had a fairly easy draw, so as soon as they have a real match on their hands they won't be able to handle it.
Simon Styles, Switzerland
I am German fan, but one must admit that their playing was not particularly impressive.
The Germans aren't an excellent side this time; they may just make it to the finals, especially considering they've got quite an easy draw- at least till the semis. Yet, winning might be beyond them, considering Brazil is playing so well. However, the Germans do manage to do their best at major tournaments, unlike England...
Everything is irrelevant except the result. I would rather England meet ANYBODY in the world except Germany. That includes Brazil. They always seem to do just enough and I wouldn't bet against them this time.
It may be a sad day for football if this German side wins it but anything is possible. This World Cup has had its share of upsets already and a German win may be the icing on the cake. For England's sake I just hope we avoid them and let someone else take care of them.
Allan Gregory, USA (English)
No, we cannot go all the way. We have to be more than happy with what we have achieved so far. If we are really lucky, we can advance to the semis. This tournament is about gaining experience for 2006.
Another thing: There is another team in the tournament that will make it to the quarterfinals with precious little to recommend them. The main difference between them and us is that this team has lost touch with reality. They seem to believe they really have a chance to become champions. Well, only if there are two Russian linesmen in every match to come!
Mathias Behn, Germany
Germany have yet to meet a class team. You can't say Cameroon, Ireland or Paraguay as outstanding ones. If anything Germany are a better team among the average sides. But do not disregard them either: if anything the Germans have yet to show their true form. And do remember that in spite of giving a below par performance they have still made it to the quarter-final! Don't forget Argentina's display in 1990 and of course West Germany themselves in 1982 and 1986 finals. The point is, to do well in a World Cup you need consistency, mental strength and of course luck.
Alex Tarang, Malaysia
After a 5-1 drubbing by England in Munich, the Germans are "rewarded" with a play-off against the giants of the Ukraine, followed by arguably one of the easiest groups in the competition.
They almost blow it against Ireland and try their best to give Cameroon the victory and still make it to the quarter-finals, where they face Mexico or USA.
When it comes to football, the luck of the Irish is nothing compared to the luck of the Germans! Don't be surprised to see them worm their way all the way to the final.
Steve Tipping, Resident in Germany
Why should only the best win the World Cup?
Give the wimpy teams a chance! So good luck to Germany!
I can't see them getting much further. They lack speed in attack and give the defenders too much time to get back. Their goal came when they got it right and didn't have seven or eight men to beat. That won't happen often.
Dave Gittins, Australia
Yes, Germany can go all the way despite a not so great game today. They must have a little bit of luck, but this tournament has already had a few surprises. So, why not another one? Go for it, Germany! Viel Glueck!
Wolfgang Pempe, England
Germany are coming into form at the right time. Like all German sides, they are an efficient outfit, and always seem to reach the latter stages of major competitions.
I am not sure they are quite good enough to win the World Cup, but I wouldn't be surprised if they reach the final. Enjoy the games fans!
B. Mendez, Portugal
Football's coming home: Germany are back. Not a great team, not a good performance, but a result! We may not win the World Cup, but given all the stick we got we are delighted to have come thus far. Where are France, Argentina and Portugal, by the way?
Germany have stumbled and fluked their way to the quarter finals. Germany didn't deserve a draw against Ireland, and certainly didn't deserve a win against a Cameroon side that missed about five golden opportunities to score. Germany beat a very poor Paraguay side in a match where both sides seemed content for the game to go to penalties. I hope the skilful Mexicans put this dire German team out of their misery.
When it comes to World Cup, Germany have always been a threat. They are a very physical and professional side. They have a very good chance again this time.
Pundits have described this German team as "the worst in living memory". But now they're a few games away from the World Cup Final. The fact is that you need a minimum of four World-Class payers to win the World Cup and Germany have that - Kahn, Ballack, Klose and Bierhof - with some strength in depth. Germany - like Italy and Brazil - will always come good in time for the World Cup.
Germany can go all the way, sure. I do believe that with Hamann and others back on the field our opponents will have quite a bit of work to do.
Lothar Bildat, Germany
Apparently a lot of the football experts on this forum forget that the point behind a football game is to win. Winning is the only thing that matters in football - going on about who deserved to win and who was really the best team is just so much cheap talk.
It was not really a good game by our team but we have won and that is the most important thing! We can win the World Cup this year because there is no outstanding team. Italy played very badly in their group stage and so did England - they have beaten Argentina but how? With a poor penalty! After the game against Denmark, England is out!!!
This tournament is surprising. We expected the best teams, but we got Germany in the quarter-finals. Germany need someone to kick out Brazil. Afterwards the way is free for the title.
Germany are starting to look ominous! That means bad news for the rest of the teams left in the World Cup. You might argue that they haven't come up against a class team yet however that is no fault of the Germans. So far in the tournament they have scored the most goals and conceded the least - do you need any further proof?
Sajid Hussain, Gujrat, Pakistan
Germany are certainly not good enough to win the World Cup outright, but they're playing to their limited strengths and are getting the job done. No one has ever said that to win tournaments you have to play dazzling football every game.
Mike Williams, Wales, UK
Boring, boring, boring ...I hope Germany are eliminated by Mexico in the quarter- finals.
Germany are the forgotten giants in this World Cup! They have clinically and efficiently guided their way past the point that England huffed and puffed to reach.
They are going to appear in the semis, or even the final, and everyone will say "where the heck did they come from?!" Then England will beat them 5-1 again and win the World Cup.
Andrew Lynch, Italy / UK
Germany are a mediocre team blessed by a favourable draw. However, they may just get lucky and have one good game when they actually meet a class team. Best team in the world? Not even close. Win the World Cup? They just might be that lucky!
A so-called "mediocre" German team is advancing smoothly and not much is heard about it. Just imagine what would have happened in England if they had similar results.
Never was so much made out of so little.