Germany flexed its muscles Sunday as it cruised into the quarterfinals of Euro 2016 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Slovakia.
The world champion, which also missed a penalty, eased home courtesy of goals from Jerome Boateng, Mario Gomez and Julian Draxler.
It will now face either Italy or Spain in the last eight in Bordeaux on Saturday.
“I think we have shown a great game,” Gomez told reporters. “We dominated and it was exciting, we were very flexible. We deserved the win and can build on it.
“In the next game, we will play Italy or Spain, they will demand a lot more from us, they are better than the opposition we have had, it has not been easy against the defensive sides.
“We will try to impose our game and try to play with the same emotions as today.”
This was a pretty routine victory for Germany which was beaten 3-1 at home by Slovakia in a friendly game just three weeks ago.
That result cast doubts over Jogi Low’s side ahead of the tournament — doubts which have been made to look rather foolish on this evidence.
Three wins in four games and yet to concede a goal, it would take a brave person to bet against Germany adding the European crown to its world title.
Germany needed just eight minutes to make the breakthrough in Lille. Boateng, who had failed to score in his previous 62 games for his country, opened his account in spectacular fashion by firing home a volley from 25-yards after Toni Kroos’ corner had only been partially cleared.
Slovakia, one of the best third-place teams, was struggling to deal with the pace and movement of its opponents and was soon in trouble once again when Gomez was sent tumbling in the penalty area by Martin Skrtel.
Ozil, the Arsenal midfielder, stood up to take the kick but his effort was well saved by Slovakian goalkeeper Matus Kozacik.
Germany, so dominant during the opening period, continued to boss the contest but were indebted to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who produced a fine save to tip Juraj Kucka’s over the crossbar.
That save was to prove crucial as Germany doubled its advantage just moments later.
Draxler, a constant menace, danced down the left before beating his man and picking out Gomez to score his second of the tournament.
Slovakia, two goals down at the break, rallied briefly in the second half but rarely appeared capable of forcing its way back into the contest.
And those hopes were finally extinguished for good when Draxler was afforded time and space inside the penalty area to volley home from close range.
Germany had not won a game at the European Championship finals by more than two goals since its 3-0 win over Russia in 1996.
Kroos almost grabbed a fourth late on only for Kozacik to produce a fine block but by then the game was up.
Italy and Spain — you have been warned.