FRANKFURT, Germany — Germany hopes to extend its perfect record in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup when it faces Sweden, despite the towering presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker has 11 goals in 12 matches this season in all competitions and Sweden, like Germany, is perfect so far in qualifying. Sweden has played two matches, while Germany has won three in their Group C and is coming off a 6-1 rout of Ireland. Sweden struggled in overcoming the Faeroe Islands 2-1, with Ibrahimovic notching the winner.
With only group winners qualifying automatically, Germany would like to expand the gap to its toughest rival on Tuesday in Berlin.
Ibrahimovic has played only once against Germany, when his team lost 2-0 in the second round of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.