Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has branded England's players "stupid" for finishing second in their group.
England now face Germany on Sunday in the round of 16.
"A game like this should be a semi-final, not a last-16 game," said Beckenbauer in Germany's Bild newspaper. "Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group."
However, Beckenbauer believes Germany are fresher than Fabio Capello's side and that this will work in their favour on Sunday.
"The English look a little tired," he said. "There is a good reason for that: the Premier League players have got to play far more games than their Bundesliga colleagues, including two national cup competitions.
"Therefore, when it comes to a World Cup or a European Championships, they are burnt out.
"Our players, on the other hand, seem to be in a physically better condition. Of course we respect them, but we certainly don't fear them.
"England's first two appearances at the World Cup were paltry, but they improved against Slovenia."