Record-breaking striker Klose fearful of Germany final failure

Record-breaking striker Miroslav Klose is delighted to have overtaken Ronaldo as the World Cup's most prolific goal scorer but insists collecting a winners' medal on Sunday is more important.

On Tuesday, Germany conjured up one of the most remarkable scorelines in World Cup history when they trounced hosts Brazil 7-1 during which they notched up four goals during five first half minutes.

They now face Argentina at the Maracana Stadium this weekend, with Germany seeking a first world title in 24 years.

During the romp over Brazil in Belo Horizonte, Klose poached his 16th goal in a World Cup finals tournament, which took him beyond the 15 scored by Ronaldo.

The last two of Ronaldo's goals had come against Germany in the 2002 final with Klose the sole survivor of that match in Yokohama.

And Klose accepts that failure to lift the trophy against Argentina this weekend would leave him bitterly disappointed, 12 years on from losing in Japan.

The 36-year-old said: "It's a hugely emotional thing for me but people who know me, know that my focus is already on Argentina – 100 per-cent.

"Yes, I have overtaken Ronaldo as the best goal-scorer but that is something to take on board another day.

"If we lose the final, my joy as the top-scorer will be significantly dampened."

As for Sunday's tournament decider, he added: "We enjoyed the game against Brazil but we ticked it off after 24 hours.

"In the next game, we have to again play to the best of our abilities. It feels really awful to lose a final, so it's our time to win this one."

And Germany's Benedikt Hoewedes adds that the mauling of Brazil will mean nothing if they lose to Argentina in Rio.

The defender says: "Many people are giving us slaps on the back and we love the compliments but we can't make the mistake that it's already over, far off it.

 "People are saying in Germany that the title is almost in our pocket but the Argentinians will fight to take the title home.               

"We'll have to do all we can to make sure that doesn't happen. If we don't win, the semi-final victory will just be consigned to the archives of history."