The World Cup was filled with so many surprises, disappointments, victories, tears of joy and sadness, cheers, incredible goals, and all within a month span. Brazil did a great job hosting the FIFA World Cup, from creating beautiful stadiums, to the best fans in the world; there was nothing that could have been wrong in the FIFA World Cup. Rather than the referring, Luis Suarez biting Italian defender Chiellini, Spain being destroyed by Netherlands, the fans, the love of soccer is what made this FIFA World Cup unforgettable.
Only two teams are able to make it to the final match of the World Cup, which is being held in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, July 13th. Two teams will play to see who will be crowned world champion in Brazil; two teams fought hard to get to this place, but only one will be crying tears of joy while the other team looks from under as the winners lift the 13 karat golden cup. And who else but the arch rivals of Brazil, Argentina going up against Germany in the Estadio do Maracanã. Both teams fought hard to get to the Final of the World Cup and both teams will give their hardest to be crowned Champions on Sunday.
Both teams/countries have experienced the taste of championships. Argentina have won the FIFA World Cup twice; in 1978 as hosts and in 1986. They came in as runners-up in the first ever World Cup against Uruguay in 1930 and in 1990. In 1986, legend Diego Maradona was part of the Argentinian squad that lifted the cup. He was also part of the 1990 World Cup squad in which they were runners up. Germany, on the other hand, has tasted victory three times, 1954, 1974 as hosts and 1990. They were runner-ups in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002 against Brazil. In 1974, legends Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller were able to be part of the victory and lift the World Cup.
Argentina and Germany have both met up in the World Cup Final before, twice actually. The first time being in 1986 in which Argentina were crowned world champs and again in 1990 were we saw Germany lift the cup that year and get revenge from the 1986 FIFA World Cup match-up. So we cant say there isn’t any history here between both teams. It will be an interesting match to watch and hope the best for both teams. But how did each team overcome great obstacles to make it to the final? Lets look at Argentina first.
Argentina was nominated as one of the favorites to win the world cup this year in the country of their archrivals, Brazil. Every Argentinian fan looked up to their hero, Lionel Messi, in the hopes that he will help his team and country get there. Argentina was placed in Group F along with Nigeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran. They opened up their group with a 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. They then faced Iran on June 21st and won that 1-0 and lastly met up with Nigeria in Porto Alegre to take the 3-2 victory. With 9 points on the table they were group leaders and they were able to advance to the knockout stage but it was no easy task for them. Argentina struggled to get past through Switzerland in the Round of 16 but took the win in overtime with a late goal by Angel Di Maria. They then faced Belgium, who also gave La Albiceleste a tough match but with a goal from Gonzalo Higuain, they took the 1-0 win as well. On Wednesday, we saw them go against a struggling Netherlands in a match where both teams put up a big fight as well. The game ended up going into penalties in which we saw Argentina kick out the Netherlands in a 4-2 win in a penalty shootout.
Germany was also nominated as one of the favorites to lift the World Cup this year in Brazil. With a strong and young squad, they seemed unstoppable in the tournament, but also had their usual struggles. They were placed in Group G of the world cup, which was also known as the Group of Death along with Portugal, Ghana and United States. They opened up their group stage with a strong blow to the Portuguese in which they made it look easy. Coming off of a 4-0 win over Portugal, we saw them face Ghana next on June 21st and draw 2-2. Lastly, they went up against the Yanks and took the 1-0 win there to secure a spot in the knockout stage with 7 points. Germany underestimated their African opponent Algeria and so they struggled against the team from Africa, but yet were able to take the 2-1 win in extra time. They played well against France in the Quarterfinals and yet struggled in the second half, but took the 1-0 win with a goal from Mats Hummels. With a spot in the semi-final, we saw them face the host nation of Brazil. Brazil went in without key players Neymar and Thiago Silva, so we knew the hopes of Germany were high but the outcome was a surprise. Within 30 minutes, they took a 5-0 lead over Brazil, 4 goals coming in within a 6-minute span. The other two goals came in the second half from Andre Schurrle to take a surprising 7-1 win over Brazil, yet devastating for the Brazilians. With that win, we saw them secure a spot for the final in Rio de Janeiro.
Argentina comes in with high spirits after their 4-2 win in penalties against Netherlands. With star, Lionel Messi, and key players, Di Maria, Aguero, Higuain, Lavezzi and Mascherano, they will do everything in their power to make Germany struggle but it won’t be an easy task. Argentina not only will have to play hard defense, but also attack twice as hard. They will have to look out for the German defense and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to be able to get the ball into the net. They will also have to work on great passing and not only depend on Lionel Messi in this match.
Germany also comes in with higher spirits than Argentina. They handed Brazil their first home lost since 1975 and also humiliated them in territorial ground. Miroslav Klose broke the record of the most goals ever scored in the World cup, surpassing Ronaldo’s 15 goals. With a strong defense and great goalkeeper, Argentina will struggle to get past through them. Thomas Muller, Klose, Toni Kroos, Gotze and Mesut Ozil all look to attack twice as hard and create beautiful plays the way they did with Brazil. The only thing Germany will have to worry about is Lionel Messi and if they stop him, Germany can take the win on Sunday.
Prediction: The way we saw Germany play against Brazil, I feel that they can also take a big win over Argentina. With that said, Germany will fight hard and with a strong defense, attacking and goalkeeper, they will lift the cup on Sunday in the Estadio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro for their 4th World Cup win.
Line-ups: Germany: Neuer, Höwedes, Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Müller, Kroos, Ozil, Klose
Photo Credit: AP
Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Rojo, Mascherano, Di Maria, Gago, Higuain, Aguero, Messi
Photo Credit: Natacha Pisarenko
Photo Credit: Muller-Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images; Messi-Dylan Martinez/Reuters
