Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger has kicked off the war of words with Argentina ahead of Saturday’s World Cup showdown (Argentina 11/8, draw 9/4, Germany 9/4 – Match Betting).

The Germans dumped Argentina out of the last World Cup in the quarter-finals and are looking to do the same again in Cape Town (Germany 6/5 – To Qualify).

But Bayern Munich ace Schweinsteiger has felt the need to speak out about what he feels is the South Americans’ approach to the game.

He said: “It starts before the match. You see how they gesticulate, how they try to influence the referee.

“That is not part of the game. That is a lack of respect. They are like that. We should not be provoked by them.”

The winners will meet either Spain (11/4 Outright) or Paraguay (40/1) in the semi-finals in South Africa.