Final: Germany 0-0 Argentina (ET 1-0) - Sunday 13/07/2014 21:00 CEST

[AndreiX]

Originally Posted by crazy4milan

Klose breaking the record is a wonderful recognition to hardworking pro.

[Sven]

Was sure Germany would win x Argentina before semis.
But Argentina showed against the Dutch the kind of shut down game that can match a better team.

Germany still favorites IMO

[ZBoban]

I think Germany got this. They are the better, deeper squad and I don't think they will take this lightly. They've been close last few times and learned. They just seem too focused and determined to let this one slip away. But you never know, a final is a final and anything can happen in one game.

[jammin]

Originally Posted by crazy4milan

Meh. If Ronaldo would have just been a little more of a pro, he could have kept his record going in 2010. He didn't care to try to keep it up, so I don't feel bad his record was broken in the saddest day of brazilian football, if anything it should be one of the many things that should make brazilian football sit down and reflect on.

Klose breaking the record is a wonderful recognition to hardworking pro.

Besides, one of the goals awarded to Ronaldo was an own goal.

Both teams deserve to be where they are. Germany has been working hard in this project, and it has paid off, they've been the most consistent european side for years now. Argentina has been the best south american team since 2012, Sabella understood perfectly what made his team vulnerable and has worked on it.

My only issue with Argentina is that Mascherano should be the captain, but if anything, giving the captain armband to Messi has made him realize his role in the team.

You don't need an armband to be a leader.

Messi as captain pushes him further into the spotlight and takes the edge off even more from his teammates. If Argentina lost last night, there would have been nothing but criticism on Messi for failing to shine and lack of leadership.

[Casualista]

Pound for pound, on paper, Argentina is the only team thats as good as Germany. Argentina has a better CB pairing and forward line. Germany slightly edges it in mid field and depth, and really edges in goal keeping.

For me, as far as Argentina goes, if Di Maria returns then I would like to see him in place of Lavezzi and not Enzo Perez. The only reason Holland vs Argentina was so close was because Di Maria was injured imo.

As far as germany goes, no changes needed from brazil team. And I have to give Low credit for how he has used Klose. He deliberately saved him for start in late tournament and it has worked brilliantly. Klose and Schurrle as subs or starters worked in every game for him.

I'll be happy with any result now. Germany and bundesliga getting recognition as producing the finest talents/messi going down in history as top 3 greatest of all time. This one is for the record books.

[Senatore_M84]

Originally Posted by Tfat

Pound for pound, on paper, Argentina is the only team thats as good as Germany. Argentina has a better CB pairing and forward line. Germany slightly edges it in mid field and depth, and really edges in goal keeping.

For me, as far as Argentina goes, if Di Maria returns then I would like to see him in place of Lavezzi and not Enzo Perez. The only reason Holland vs Argentina was so close was because Di Maria was injured imo.

As far as germany goes, no changes needed from brazil team. And I have to give Low credit for how he has used Klose. He deliberately saved him for start in late tournament and it has worked brilliantly. Klose and Schurrle as subs or starters worked in every game for him.

I'll be happy with any result now. Germany and bundesliga getting recognition as producing the finest talents/messi going down in history as top 3 greatest of all time. This one is for the record books.

agreed. He's only one capable of pushing ball from midfield to good attacking posiitons.

without him messi went so deep and while he can do stuff there, he can't dribble 6 guys and pass to himself

[Senatore_M84]

macherano had a prime gattuso-esque performance v. dutch.

He's gonna need to do even more v. Germany to give then a chance

[ladro]

Germany struggled so far against defensively orientated teams. But then again who doesnt.....i think germany being better from set pieces will be key here.

I enjoyed watching Kroos play so much this WC. What a shame hes real bound.

[ezekiel2517]

Could it be said that Robben has been as dangerous as Muller this WC? I feel he might be even more, only he was alone while the German wasn't. If so, Mascherano can handle Muller.

I'd say Argentina has more than just a chance.

[AndreiX]

Originally Posted by ezekiel2517

Could it be said that Robben has been as dangerous as Muller this WC? I feel he might be even more, only he was alone while the German wasn't. If so, Mascherano can handle Muller.

I'd say Argentina has more than just a chance.

vs the Nederlands they only had to deal with one great player and a bunch of good players
vs Germany they'll have to deal with a great team (well balanced and organised)

[Italian Tsar]

If Argentina sit back and try to wait for Germany to make a mistake, it might well backfire. I can't see them winning unless they're extremely efficient on the counter, so I say 2-0 to Germany.

[General]

I wouldn't be shocked if Argentina grind a win..

Brazil's loss was just as much their schoolyard positioning and tactics as Germany's superiority. How many times did Marcelo push up and leave an ocean of space for Germany to take advantage of? It was an automatic 3 v 3 for most of the first half goals. im curious to see if Germany get frustrated vs Argentina.

With that said.. It's Germany's to lose.

[G.Costanza]

Fuck what an extremely uninspiring final. Hate it. Fuck both of them I wish it ends 0-0 in 120 mins and then someone wins on PK

[Mion-Moura]

Argentina are fucked!

I hope for a massacre.

[Christian]

Originally Posted by Sven

Was sure Germany would win x Argentina before semis.
But Argentina showed against the Dutch the kind of shut down game that can match a better team.

Germany still favorites IMO

Argentina are build nicely to counter Germany imo. Germany are clearly favorites, they are the standout team in this tournament, but the Algeria game in particular showed that they can have difficulties breaking down very well organised teams, and Argentina are very well organised defensively. They haven't conceeded in the knockouts yet mind you, and that's against imo, very good attacking teams.

Argentina also have very fast attackers which imo is something that can force Germany to change how they play (Although Neuer has been outstanding all tournament, and all year really, as almost a sweeper)

[williamp]

Mascherano might miss the final.

[ezekiel2517]

Originally Posted by williamp

Mascherano might miss the final.

Definitely would call the Germans lucky if both Silva and Mascherano miss their games.

[Sage]

Originally Posted by ezekiel2517

Definitely would call the Germans lucky if both Silva and Mascherano miss their games.

di maria will make the game and I haven't seen anything concerning mascherano, silva was an idiot.

considering they lost their best player to injury right before the tournament, and others like gundogan, lars and sven bender, I would say germany have been anything but lucky.

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anyways this is a 50/50 game, I don't know how germany's weak defense will deal with messi and co. argentina proved to be compact and very solid against holland.

[williamp]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer...57-soccer.html

[USC]

Kun Aguero is going to dominate this match and deliver the title to Argentina.

It's my bold prediction.