Per Mertesacker: 'Germany need World Cup trophy win'

Germany defender Per Mertesacker has insisted that his side need to push on and end their 24-year drought without a World Cup trophy win.

Die Mannschaft have reached the last four of the tournament for the fourth time in a row, but have failed to go on and win the title since 1990.

"We finished the last two World Cups in third position and that is really consistent," Mertesacker is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

"What we need in Germany after all these years is a title. We are talking about titles and trophies."

Mertesacker missed training on Sunday after suffering with flu ahead of his side's semi-final clash with Brazil on Tuesday.