The German midfielder has proved to be an influential figure of Pep Guardiola's team over the last couple of seasons as they went on to claim back-to-back Premier League titles.

ADAM SHERGOLD: Coach Joachim Low was ruthless with his refresh of the German team following their humiliations in the World Cup and Nations League last year.

Bayern Munich shot-stopper Manuel Neuer, who remains Germany's No 1 under Joachim Low, has told the Barcelona star to accept his bit-part role for the national team.

KIT HOLDEN: In the end, Marc-Andre ter Stegen let his actions speak louder than words. On Tuesday evening, the Barcelona keeper was indefatigable.

Neuer and German goalkeeping rival Marc-Andre ter Stegen have been involved in a petty war of words recently over the No 1 spot, with the latter becoming frustrated with a lack of game time.

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen will be given his opportunity to impress on the international stage this month after Joachim Low confirmed that he will share the No 1 duties between his two top stars.

Focus in the German camp as he been firmly fixed on who deserves to start in goal for the national team, with Bayern president Uli Hoeness threatening a boycott if his player is usurped.

With six World Cup wins between them, Germany and Argentina need little introduction. Ahead of their friendly, ALEC FENN examines what has gone wrong with both nations, and what the future holds.

If you were looking for a bit more proof as to how prepared Joachim Low is in ripping up old blueprints and working towards a different plan then this performance came close to providing it.

Turkey sent troops into Kurdish-held regions of Syria and Sahin's support for the operation caused uproar among some of second division club's supporters.

His manager Lucien Favre has decided to discipline his star man for the Bundesliga clash despite Sancho chipping in with three goals and five assists in six appearances this season.

The former Manchester United and Leicester goalkeeper accidentally caught goalscorer Daniel Gordon in a painful area during the Bundesliga 2 match, earning a red card for his low blow.

Dresden fans are known for their passionate and immense support, and they brought huge banners, flags and flares to the match, but did not see their team progress after a penalty-shoot-out defeat.

Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac has refused to back down after infuriating the club's own fanbase, by claiming his former side Eintracht Frankfurt have the Bundesliga's best supporters.

Sebastian Polter's 90th-minute penalty gave Union Berlin a 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin in the German capital's first Bundesliga derby featuring teams from either side of the formerly divided city.

Flick was handed the reins after the sacking of Niko Kovac, who left the club following a heavy 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Now the club turn their attention to Dortmund.

Thomas Muller has responded to Joachim Low by revealing he remains angry after the Germany coach said it's unlikely the Bayern Munich star would earn a recall. 

Sweden drew another blank as fellow World Cup contenders Peru held them to a frustrating scoreless draw in their final warm-up game on a sun-drenched evening in Gothenburg.

With its orange rays and the unmistakable figure of Lev Yashin, Russia has produced a piece of artwork that lives up to a great tradition of World Cup posters. Here is every one, from 1930 onwards...

Emil Forsberg believes Sweden would undoubtedly have a better chance at success this World Cup had Zlatan Ibrahimovic been in the squad, despite getting off to a winning start.

Sweden boss Janne Andersson accused the Germans of gloating and 'rubbing his face' in defeat after the goal which puts them back in control of their destiny in Group F.

Toni Kroos scored a last-gasp winner to keep Germany's World Cup hopes alive against Sweden on Saturday night. Germany's dramatic win was, unsurprisingly, a hot topic on social media.

Toni Kroos has praised his Germany team-mates for their second-half performance against Sweden on Saturday which saw them come from a goal down to win in the last minute. 

Germany's victory over Sweden unleashed a wave of euphoria among players and coaching staff but Joachim Low said changes would be needed for their final group game against South Korea.

The line-up for the round of 16 was completed on Thursday as Belgium booked a date against Japan, with England scheduled to play Japan. Sportsmail brings you all you need to know.

Sven-Goran Eriksson twice led England to the World Cup last-eight stage during his reign as manager, and he has been impressed with Gareth Southgate's squad so far in Russia.

They may no longer be able to count Zlatan Ibrahimovic among their ranks, but the enigmatic striker's retirement has certainly not hindered Sweden at the current World Cup.

The long-standing rivalry between England and Scotland means many Scots support whichever team is playing against their south of the border neighbours.

Gareth Southgate's side progressed to the last eight of the competition following a dramatic win over Colombia on penalties on Tuesday night. The victory set up a clash against Sweden.

Swedish football fans - one of whom is an MP - said their team will defeat England in the World Cup on Saturday as they referenced a massacre in 793.

In the interview area beneath the St Petersburg Stadium, Swedish star Viktor Claesson was asked the question, the Zlatan question. If you are Swedish, the question always arrives eventually.

Gareth Southgate's buoyant team face Sweden on Saturday, knowing a win will put them into the semi-final for the first time in 28 years, where they will either face Croatia or hosts Russia.

England will have learned plenty from their penalty shootout win over Colombia and are aware of the barrier Sweden represent. Sportsmail looks at how the quarter-final might be won and lost

The hours are ticking down to England's World Cup quarter-final against Sweden and the fans are in Samara soaking up the atmosphere ahead of their biggest game in a generation.

In the Samara Arena, situated on the banks of the River Volga in a far-flung corner of the sprawling Russian Motherland, an England team made history.

SAMI MOKBEL AT THE SAMARA ARENA: Goals by Harry Maguire and Dele Alli capped off a relatively comfortable afternoon for England and they now await either Croatia or host Russia in the last four.

England have booked their place in the semi-finals at the World Cup and it was all down to hard work on and off the pitch throughout the tournament, says BBC pundit Alan Shearer. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic appears to be ready to hold up his end of the bargain he has with David Beckham after his beloved Sweden were knocked out of the World Cup by England on Saturday.

Victor Lindelof will return from the Russia World Cup with his stock higher than ever before, and has a series of clubs interested in acquiring his services on loan for next season.

Sweden started the match brightly as they threatened the Austrian goal but in the end were the cause of their own downfall after a horror own goal put them at a disadvantage early on. 

The 33-year-old former Wigan Athletic centre-back has been key to Sweden 's impressive defensive record and captained his country at the World Cup forming a partnership with United's Victor Lindelof.

Victor Lindelof issued his former Manchester United and Sweden team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic a light-hearted warning after scoring just his second international goal on Tuesday night.

Sergio Reguilon, Pau Torres and Gerard Moreno were handed call-ups on Friday after being named in coach Robert Moreno's squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Norway and Sweden.

Spain midfielder Ceballos fouled Olsson and was subsequently shown a yellow card as Spain trailed in the match.

LAURA LAMBERT AT EASTBOURNE: Jo Konta sailed through the opening round at the Eastbourne International on Sunday to keep her Wimbledon preparations on track.

MIKE DICKSON ON CENTRE COURT: It started with the Centre Court crowd tittering at the velvety baritone of umpire Nouni, and ended with them roaring Konta into the quarter finals.

British Number One Johanna Konta has beaten Czech player Petra Kvitova to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

MATTHEW LAMBERT AT WIMBLEDON: The British No 1 led 4-1 in the first set but her Czech opponent reeled her back in and Konta was left looking one-dimensional by the end.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Hardly anyone walks tightrope of deciding sets as well as Jo Konta this year, and she successfully did so once again to make the last eight of the US Open.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Words with negative connotations are out when it comes to the work she does with Dimitri Zavialoff. The hairdryer is strictly confined to the hotel room.