Who is better: England or Germany?

Germany are the better national team if the test is repeating a World Cup. 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014 are four different squads that still finished the job. England have not done that once away from Wembley. 1990 in Turin — penalties after extra time, then Germany lifting the trophy — is the night that still sits under every later meeting.

England 1966 remains the one English side that can be put against a German peak without apology: Moore, Charlton, Hurst, a functioning 4-4-2, a final they actually won. Italia 90 and Euro 96 are the emotional near-misses, not replacements. Simulate 1966 against 1990 if you want the argument as a match. Do not use a simulator to pretend the cabinets are even.