Exactly 11 years ago, on 9 June 2006, Philipp Lahm charged down the left at the Allianz Arena, cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable belter from the edge of the box, opening the scoring in the first match of the 2006 World Cup.
Italy went on to win the World Cup in Germany, whereas the hosts were knocked out in the semi-finals. But eight years later the Germans won the World Cup in Brazil, Lahm crowning his international career. The bitter semi-final defeat had been forgotten by then. The fond memories of a gorgeous tournament in Germany have remained.
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