It’s finally here, the biggest match in football has arrived as Germany face Argentina in the final of the 2014 World Cup. When people look back on this competition in years to come they will remember an open and entertaining group stage, packed with loads of goals. They will remember a knockout stage that, although played more conservatively, still produced intriguing and exciting contests. They will also remember one of the most surreal and shocking football games in the history of the sport, as Germany defeated the host nation, Brazil, 7-1 in the semi-final. What will be the last memory of this tournament? That remains to be seen, but with the quality on show in the final, the chances are it will be a lasting one.
After their romp in the semi-final, Germany come into this game as a big favourite. They were far too powerful for an ill disciplined and lacklustre Brazil on Tuesday night. The likes of Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos were sensational, as was Sami Khedira who was played in a more forward position. Their strong running and control of the game proved to be the difference. They will probably be expected a different type of game in the final but the confidence they can take from that success will be huge. They’ve also looked much more assured in defence with Phillip Lahm being moved to right back and the return of Mats Hummels from injury at the centre of that back four. All in all, they will be in as good a position as you could expect after playing six huge pressure games in four weeks.
With eight goals in the first of the semi-finals, you could be forgiven for thinking that the next one probably didn’t offer the same excitement or thrills. Argentina and Holland played out a dull goalless draw over 120 minutes of football which meant penalties had to settle the two. It was Sergio Romero who was the here as he saved two of the four Dutch penalties taken. The result means Lionel Messi – one of the best players to have ever played the game – will get his chance to cement his place amongst the likes of Pele and Maradona by playing in his first ever World Cup final. He has four goals to his name already but there was a suggestion that he looked tired and jaded against Holland – you have to hope he his recovered in time to do himself justice on the biggest stage of all.
Joachim Low is likely to stick to the same starting 11 which was so impressive in the semi-final game – and why not. They will have to decide if they can play as high a pressing game and allow Messi space between their defence and midfield. Brazil don’t have the same weapons as Argentina and that has to be taken into consideration. The midfield three of Khedira, Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger have it all but one of them may have to sacrifice their desire to go forward to prevent them from being exposed, it will most likely be the latter of that trio.
Argentina and their supporters face an anxious wait ahead of the final on Sunday evening as Angel Di Maria looks to recover to reclaim his position in the team. He missed the semi-final after being taken off injured in the quarter final and he was definitely missed. Enzo Perez performed admirably but the running power of Di Maria was most definitely missed. Should he not recover I would expect the same starting eleven as Sergio Aguero does not look like he is capable of playing from the start after coming on as a substitute in the last match.
This is a difficult game to assess as so much has been made of the two semi-finals. If this game was played after the quarter final round then the two would be much closer together. As it is it’s the Germans who are strongly favoured to win their fourth World Cup. I’ve been with Argentina throughout this and as advised at the beginning, backed them to go all the way. They may not be the prettiest of teams but they definitely have the ability to trouble any team on their day. Germany will play more open than many of the sides that Argentina have faced this tournament which could play into their hands. It’s a very close call, in my opinion, and it could follow the last two World Cup’s by going beyond the 90 minutes.
Draw 9/4 @ Bet365
