England will have to stop Germany's Lionel Messi if they are to have any chance of facing the real deal in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.Fabio Capello's side could square up to the Argentina superstar - but only if they overcome Germany on Sunday.
Mesut Ozil has won comparisons with Messi as his eye-catching displays lifted Germany to the top of Group D.
The 21-year-old's glorious left-footed strike which saw off Ghana booked a last-16 meeting with England in Bloemfontein, and the Three Lions will have to find a way to restrict his considerable talents if the euphoria of their vital win over Slovenia is not to be quickly forgotten.
'We in Germany are prone to rave about foreign players,' said Horst Hrubesch, a European Championship winner with West Germany in 1980.
'We praise Wayne Rooney to the heavens, likewise (Cristiano) Ronaldo or Messi.
'But we have our own Messi. Our Messi is Ozil.'
Comparisons to the Barcelona ace do not look out of place. Ozil, who was born in Gelsenkirchen to Turkish immigrant parents and turned down the chance to play for Turkey in favour of representing the country of his birth, only made his senior international debut 16 months, but Germany's World Cup hopes already appear to depend upon him.
Germany have been crying out for a player who specialises in the spectacular ever since the retirement of Mehmet Scholl before the 2002 World Cup.
And with Michael Ballack's reliability, experience and important goals, missing, Ozil's dribbling and passing ability and eye for the unexpected have given this Germany team something with which their predecessors were rarely associated - flair.
That is not to say he is a luxury player, with his impressive goal and assist return proof his game has an end product.
Ahead of the tournament he was winning comparisons with legendary Germany playmaker Thomas Hassler, a World Cup winner in 1990 and European Championship winner in 1996.
With the eyes of the world on him, the chatter has now reached a new level.
The 21-year-old, who can play in a central role or out wide, was the standout player in the Bundesliga last term, even if his club Werder Bremen did not emerge as challengers for the title.
His form ensured the northern Germany club did not miss Brazilian playmaker Diego, who left the Weserstadion for Juventus last summer.
England coach Stuart Pearce, and midfielder James Milner, will know better than most to be wary of Ozil's talents.
Ozil inspired Germany to a 4-0 win over England, managed by Pearce and captained by Milner, in the final of the European Under 21 Championship in Sweden last year.
Ozil's contract at Bremen expires next year and the club are keen for the player they signed from Bundesliga rivals Schalke in 2008 to stay.
His performances in South Africa are likely to have big-name clubs across Europe queuing up for his signature - Ozil has already revealed he would one day like to play for Barcelona - and it seems doubtful whether Bremen will be able to keep hold of him.
For now, though, Ozil is focused on the World Cup, and knocking out England.
'Our dream is to win the title. That is what we are here for,' the 21-year-old said. 'All I am interested in is the World Cup, because with this team we have goals. That is important.'
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