In the fourth minute, he lashed the ball goalwards and in off the hapless Lucic after Klose's run on goal had been blocked. Eight minutes later he took a clever pass from his colleague to double the lead.

It would be hard to overestimate just how good Klose was.

Swedish centre-backs Olof Mellberg and Teddy Lucic must have thought they were up against Diego Maradona as the 28-year-old German, scorer of four goals himself in this tournament, exposed their frailties in ruthless style.

On the first goal he showed a sublime touch to trick his way between two defenders and bear down on goal and his pass behind him for the second was perfection.

When West Germany won the World Cup for the third time in 1990, it was Klinsmann and Rudi Voeller leading the line.

It was all too much for the Swedes, although they did play much better after Lucic was red-carded in the 35th minute.

"Berlin! Berlin! We're going to Berlin" the fans roared after the second of the two goals and, of course, they are right, as Germany will play their quarter-final at the Olympiastadion in the capital on June 30.