Not Arrogant, Just Better: Julian Draxler shines as Germany justify confidence

Everyone knew Germany would win this match. And if they didn’t know it before the game, they certainly did when Jerome Boateng plundered the opening goal inside eight minutes.

That goal punctured any hope that Slovakia might man the barricades and keep Germany at bay as they did against England in the group stage.

Well, it turns out Germany are better at this game than England – and they breezed through a job England made look monstrously difficult.

German confidence can grate at times – but when you’re as good as this, the only alternative is disingenuous false modesty.

Such is the talent at Jogi Loew’s disposal that there is no onus on any player to do more than their job. If Ozil, Kroos, Muller and company take turns in the limelight, so much the better.

Today was the turn of Julian Draxler, whose goal and assist were no more than a superlative performance merited.

It was Draxler’s first true star turn on the world stage. Yes, he has excelled in the Bundesliga and occasionally in the Champions League – and he now has 22 caps for Germany.

But – be honest – for many British fans he is best known as The Guy From The Transfer Rumour; the kind of player you see a lot more on FIFA than in real life.

Today was his coming out party, as he put the world’s most talented group of international attacking midfielders in his shadow.

Draxler was immense, time and again getting behind the Slovak lines with his clever running and close control – using such a foray to set up Mario Gomez for the second, bamboozling Juraj Kucka on his way to the byline. His gorgeously volleyed strike for Germany’s third capped off a superb display that should get his transfer value soaring.

If reports are true, he is wanted by virtually every big-name Premier League side. Whoever lands him from Wolfsburg will be very lucky to get any change from £50m.

Next time the plaudits will go elsewhere because the cliche is true; the team really is the star.

Loew’s tweaks during Euro 2016 have paid off so far. He swapped Marios, bringing in Gomez for Gotze. While hardly world class, Gomez will reliably position himself close to goal. He gives the German side certainty that when they deliver to the danger area someone will be there.

At right-back, Joshua Kimmich’s elevation ahead of Benedikt Howedes has given the Germans an extra attacking option out wide – a target for Toni Kroos’s crossfield lasers.

The Mexican wave that broke out midway through the second half said it all; this was the biggest mismatch we have seen in these championships, and it took another superb performance from Slovak goalkeeper Matus Kozacik to limit the damage.

Events fully justified Germany’s confidence against Slovakia, but might doubts creep in along a nightmarish route to the final?

In the quarter-finals they will face either Italy or Spain.

Germany have never beaten Italy in a competitive match, while their recent record against Spain includes defeats at Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010.

Should they make it through that test, France could await in the last four if they beat the winner of England’s last-16 tie against Iceland.

Sunday was all very routine, and the big tests lie ahead.

But then, this is Germany. World champions. The foremost side on the planet and certainly the best in this competition.

Why shouldn’t they carry the same confidence into any game? It’s not arrogance when you’re the best.