Germany: Loew wary of Spain match-winners

Germany coach Joachim Loew has warned that Spain have "several Messis" in their ranks, insisting the European champions will pose the toughest test yet for his side when they meet in their World Cup semi-final encounter on Wednesday.

The three-time winners have been the most impressive team in South Africa so far, scoring 13 goals, including four apiece against England and Argentina.

There was plenty of talk in the build-up of the game against Diego Maradona's team of the potential threat of Lionel Messi, but the World Player of the Year was silenced by the Germans as they romped to a 4-0 win in Cape Town.

Loew said: "Spain remain the natural World Cup favourites. They not only have one Messi, but they have several Messis.

"They have a whole range of players that can win a game, so we will have to be very watchful against them.

"They are a team that make very few mistakes. We have to force them into making mistakes."

Germany were beaten 1-0 the last the time the two sides met in a major championship, which was the final of Euro 2008.

Loew was also in charge of the team on that occasion, with a Fernando Torres strike helping seal a 1-0 win in Vienna.

The Germany boss ruled out any talk of revenge for that game, adding: "We are not playing for revenge, those are not the kind of feelings I harbour.

"In 2008, there is no doubt that Spain were the best team at the tournament.

"They have shown great consistency and always played at the highest possible level. So they have been impressive.

"But now the situation is different. We too have a good team and we have every reason to believe that we can succeed."