Why the Germans Win

Nation Stomps Australia and Peugeot in the Same Day

By DARREN EVERSON
WSJ

DURBAN, South Africa—How can we put this delicately: Germany is one competitive country. When it engages in an endeavor, it tends to go for total, soul-crushing, mind-blowing domination.

This was on display at Le Mans, of all places, over the weekend, as the German automaker Audi embarrassed rival Peugeot in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, sweeping the top three spots. It has been seen at the World Cup, where the three-time world champion Germans have smacked down some of the greatest teams the sport has ever seen.

Sunday, it was poor Australia's turn to get a taste of German engineering. The final: 4-0, easily the highest-scoring and most impressive performance so far in this World Cup, a brutal beatdown that actually could've been worse.

Joachim Low, the German coach, struck the perfect, matter-of-fact tone afterward. "Today, we were dominating," he said. "The whole match. Begininng to the end."

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