Lukas Podolski eyes World Cup history for Germany

Lukas Podolski has claimed that Germany have a great chance of becoming the first European team to win the World Cup on South American soil.

The Germans booked their place in the semi-finals on Friday with a narrow 1-0 victory against France in Rio de Janeiro.

The three-time champions must now beat hosts Brazil if they want to reach next Sunday's final.

"We can be the first European team to win a World Cup in South America. It won't be easy because a lot of European teams are out, but we are here and we are strong," Podolski is quoted as saying by Goal.com.

"The World Cup is not a competition where the team that plays the best football wins the tournament."

Germany and Brazil play their World Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday evening.