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FIFA World Cup 2014 - Final - GERMANY v/s ARGENTINA
Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 13/07/2014
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This is it! The World Cup Final! That golden legendary trophy as the zenith for two teams who reached till here! The final crossroad for 2 teams as they fight for ultimate glory at the greatest footballing competition of the world and arguably the most polarizing sports competition of this planet.
Germany and Argentina are certainly not lightweights in any way, and the fact that this is their 3rd WC final in history proves the consistency as terrifying football nations and 2 teams who comprehend the pressure and level of expectations that goes along a World Cup final. Germany are even playing their 8th World Cup final, and this is the most played fixture in World cup history.
Starting with both team's Road to Final:
Germany entered this World Cup among the favorites; yet ironically many were cynical of shouting loud and clear that
Die Mannschaft were future winners! Several factors can be attributed to that: The Germans are used to choke at some point in major competitions each time, against likes of Spain and so; despite possession the best crop of players arguably since "their" World Cup in 2006. Plus, they had an array of players injured like Reus, Gundogan, the Bender brothers and a confidence seemingly shaken in their coach after repeated failures. Yet, here they are! At one victory from being crowned as the best footballing nation in the World.
Their emphatic victory over Portugal perhaps showcased their hunger and ruthlessness, right off the bat. They looked focused on clinching the cup this time, even if Brazil was on home soil. The 4-0 win was performed with clinical finishing and great team cohesion against a Portugal side, lacking all of those. However, those beliefs were not as strong following the next 2 group matches. Against a spirited Ghana side, they managed only a 2-2 draw in a match that could have tilted either side. Against USA, they scrambled to a narrow 1-0 win to top the group. However, the backline showed weaknesses and cynics were all knives out, that Joachim Low's stubbornness will again cost a golden squad their rightful position.
And as they are hours away from entering the final as favorites, they can also thank their luck that Algeria rued their first 30 minutes dominance in their Last-16 encounter, as Algeria exposed the German defence but thwarted their own chances with woeful finish, as Germany managed to squeeze to the Quarter Finals with a 2-1 win after Extra-time. But the turning point is indeed the match against France. With Lahm reverted back to his right-back position, and a midfield trio of Schweinsteiger-Khedira-Kroos recomposed (their best trio in the absence of Gundogan), Germany hit their perfect notes on the field. Hummels was commanding the backline, Neuer was impeccable on each minor slacking, the midfield were organized ideally and they dispatched their chances clinically. Clinical - the word will certainly prove insufficient to describe the performance of Germany in the Semis. They handed Brazil the most eye-widening defeat imaginable as goals were galore in the 7-1 demolition. Whatsoever, this performance rockets Germany as definite favorites for the final.
Argentina's Road to the Final, is a bit more quirky though. In the anticipation of the World Cup, Argentina were certainly among the favorites but those were more courtesy of those, hoping to see one of the best player of last decade lifting the ultimate trophy for his country and emulate Maradona. And besides the focus on Messi, the generic ambition was mainly to rub the salt on Brazil, by lifting the World Cup on their lands. Questions were too many about a defence that failed too often in major competitions in recent times, despite an array of attacking potency.
However, for a team that had all the attributes to play fancy crazy attacking football with suicidal defence...what was seen in this entire World Cup, was more of a very pragmatic European-like approach. Despite leaving Tevez at home, and being with Aguero or Di Maria at certain junctures of the competition, Argentina always squeezed through. With utmost discipline and led by the defensive leader of the midfield in Mascherano, the so-called shaky defense of Argentina is entering this final as the best defense of the competition under the careful approach of Sabella.
Yes, their 1-margin victories over the likes of Bosnia (2-1), Iran (1-0), Nigeria (3-2), Switzerland (1-0) & Belgium (1-0) sound like nothing impressive. In fact, some may argue that many were down to extreme luck or down to sudden individualistic brilliance. And all those indeed does hold true. However, the key is that lady luck or genius boys poured their magic rains at key times - while the well-oiled defense and team spirit sailed the boat till the Final. The Semi final against big dog, Netherlands tell same story with a very lucky shootout win that went their way. Only time will tell now, if luck will favor them till the end against Germany or if their luck will run out at penultimate moments.
So yeah, for me, Germany are definite favorites.
- They possess the best-attack of this tournament.
- They are riding high on that 7-1 historical win.
- Despite Argentina's improved defensive cohesion, this is nearly the same team they destroyed 4-0 at the previous World Cup.
- They simply got the more complete squad.
But football is never so simple. Argentina may have won most of their matches in generic fashion with quite some luck, but football results are made of those details all the time. The fact is that their main attacking stars produced their own magic at decisive time. It was mainly Messi in the group stages, Di Maria against Switzerland, Higuain against Belgium ect...but still, one showed up when needed and this is still possible against Germany.
Add to the fact that this defense could certainly derail the Germany plans.
- No side have kept as many clean sheets as Argentina in the 2014 World Cup.
- Their high-number of 1-0 victories showed Albiceleste's ability to hold onto a result!
- Argentina are yet to concede a goal in the knock-out stages at this tournament.
Plus, the various duels will be key in this match. Much has been said on either Argentina stars capable of producing a winning spark; with Messi already with 5 goals and got a tournament-high of chances created and dribbles. But Hummels and Neuer have been in amazing shape so far nonetheless.
It's also interesting to see the "ideal" midfield of Germany with Bastian-Khedira-Kroos against a work-horse like Mascherano who has made the most tackles in the tournament so far. And lastly, an Ozil who despite the critics, has been the German who created the most chances for teammates along with a Muller in scintillating form with Klose who is already engraved in World Cup history now. The great substitutions potential with Shurlle, Gotze, Podolski ect...also make Germany a very terrifying force. All those against that near-impenetrable defense of Argentina.
Overall, I expect a very tight match with Germany to control the possession. With Argentina defending with nearly always 9-10 men, and 3 players ready to burst on counters...full-backs Lahm and Howedes will need to overlap properly to create proper danger into the danger area. Argentina defense have been very well-organised till now, and for me, Germany will have 2 weakness mainly:
1. The lack of speedsters wingers. Muller will often drift into the center to offer support to Klose,while Ozil is not an inside winger and more of a creative force - a wonderful one on his good days, and a pretty invisible one on his bad days. The German lack players like Di Maria, Messi, Aguero, Lavezzi mostly in this match who can eliminate oppositions with dribbles and burst alone. If this match indeed turn into a trap where German don't know what to do with their sterile ball possession, this Final might be the match where they'll miss Marco Reus the most. Shurlle can make a very positive addition in this match too imo.
2. Whether Di Maria/Aguero plays or not, Enzo/Lavezzi remain great players and they will look to exploit the flanks enormously. Lavezzi & Messi caused quite some havoc in the first half against Martins Indi & Blind against Holland. With Howedes criticized by some as weak link, the latter will need to be in perfect form to derail the counters of them.
The score will be a tight one - can be 1-0 or 2-1. Or 2-0, with a second goal scored on counter, as other team is pushing for an equalizer. Either way, I don't expect a goalfest and don't see the team who opened the score losing but we shall see.
Despite some negative points above, I still think Germany will manage a victory. They counter the key men against Brazil very well, and they can repeat that against the 3-4 stars of Argentina with proper tactics. And they have been ruthless in front of goal till now - best attack (17 goals) with a ratio of 2.8:1.2 when compared to Argentina. Despite many teams falling into the trap of having possession and doing nothing, till now, the Germans scored at a pretty frantic rate - showing guile, speed and pace in most of their attacks.
More than opposition, Argentina are more like the biggest traps for these Germans - and can be quite a deadly one too; making this final a very tight one to predict.
Hoping for a great final either and may the best team win!
