If both records had remained intact it would have been penalties, where the Germans' World Cup record of four wins from four compared with the Italians' three out of three defeats would leave the hosts as favourites.

Perhaps with that in mind the Italians blasted out of the blocks in extra time and hit the woodwork twice in two minutes.

Substitute Alberto Gilardino carved through the retreating German defence but hit the post and then Gianluca Zambrotta smashed a 20-metre shot against the bar with Lehmann again helpless.

Podolski then headed wide from close in the last action of the first extra period.