GERMANY vs. ARGENTINA
World Cup Final
World Cup Final
Date: July 31, 2014
Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 9-6-5 Argentina
Last Match: 2012 Friendly. Argentina def Germany 3-1.
Line: Germany +115
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Germany (2nd), Argentina (5th)
Managers: Joachim Low (GER), Alejandro Sabella (ARG)
Captains: Philipp Lahm (GER), Lionel Messi (ARG)
World Cup Appearances: 18 (GER), 16 (ARG)
Best Finish: Germany (3x Champions, Last in 1990), Argentina (2x Champions, Last in 1986)
Qualifying Records: Germany (9-0-1, GF: 36, GA: 10), Argentina (9-2-5, GF: 35, GA: 15)
Previous Game Results
Germany
June 16th - Germany def. Portugal 4-0
June 21st - Germany tied Ghana 2-2
July 4th - Germany def. France 1-0 (Quarterfinals)
Argentina
June 15th - Argentina def. Bosnia 2-1
June 21st - Argentina def. Iran 1-0
July 5th - Argentina def. Belgium 1-0 (Quarterfinals)
July 9th - Argentina tied Netherlands 0-0 (4-2 in Penalty Kicks) (Semifinals)
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Algeria: Angel Di Maria (Doubtful - Thigh)
Projected Lineups
Overview
The 20th World Cup Champion will be determined today as Germany and Argentina square off in the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. Neither team is a stranger to this spotlight. Argentina have won the World Cup twice and appeared in the final game on 2 other occasions. Germany have 3 World Cup titles to their credit and have made 4 other appearances in the championship. Between the two, fully one-third of all championship game appearances have been made by these two foes.
This is also not the first championship fought between the two. The same teams appeared in the 1990 World Cup final in Italy as West Germany went on to defeat Argentina 1-0. Argentina has not been back to the final game since. Germany fell 2-0 to Brazil in the 2002 final in Japan.
Stylistically, this expected to be a close game. Both teams employ variations of a 4-3-3 system and like playing keep-away with the ball through the middle of the field. Germany have more balance throughout the field in attack but Argentina have the more potent scorers with players like Lionel Messi. Defensively, Germany not the fastest team but make up for that with great awareness and positional play. Argentina have speed but some mental lapses throughout the centre of the field and their own penalty area.
Germany have made limited personnel changes throughout the tournament but their question marks are on defence and at striker. Per Mertesacker started through the group stage but was sidelined by flu and hasn't made his way back in yet. He may make a reappearance today as Mats Hummels has been dealing with tendonitis in his knees. At striker, Miroslav Klose has started the last couple games. Doesn't have the pace to go a full 90+ minutes though so Joachim Low has to decide if he wants to use him as a sub or continue in a starting role. Mario Gotze is the likely replacement if Klose sits.
Argentina have a pair of selection issues as well although one is a luxury choice. Sergio Aguero is fully healthy after an injury and available to start today instead of Ezequiel Lavezzi. Sabella will need to decide if that's a switch worth making after Lavezzi has played all knockout round games, not to mention Aguero's poor form before being injured. Defensively, either Federico Fernandez or Martin Demichelis will start next to Ezequiel Garay. This is a crucial decision for Argentina to make depending on how they think Germany will hurt them most. Demichelis the more intelligent defender but lacks top end pace or speed. Fernandez more mobile but susceptible to defensive lapses.
Personnel
In the German Third: I would be surprised if Lionel Messi doesn't line up at right wing today. The chance to have him matched up against Howedes is too good for Argentina to pass up. Outside of that, it's not a great situation for Argentina. Higuain and Aguero/Lavezzi can be neutralized by the rest of this German defence and they still have to find a way past Neuer. Barring a miracle recovery, they also won't have Angel Di Maria to make plays in the midfield. It's Advantage: Germany with the caveat that Lionel Messi has the potential to wreak havoc if matched up one on one with Howedes. I'd personally put Mertesacker in the centre and move Boateng out to cover Messi but doubt that will happen.
In the Midfield: Both teams like to play possession and here and minimize the number of turnovers they commit. Can break down the personnel but simple matter is this. Both teams do the same thing, but Germany better at both and better able to counter-attack off of mistakes. Oh, and strictly based on personnel, they have an advantage as well. Advantage: Germany.
In the Argentine Third: Becoming a broken record but another bad matchup for Argentina. Germany love to attack the centre of the defence with speed and passing. Argentina either goes with intelligence and little speed or speed with mental errors. In either case, Germany can take advantage. Also would be very concerned about Rojo and Zabaleta being caught upfield on counter-attacks. Ask Brazil how that worked against this team. Advantage: Germany.
Goalkeeping: I questioned his #1 in the world status before the tournament. I think there's a couple guys that still have a claim but not doubting any more. Manuel Neuer is an x-factor on a team that really didn't need one. His ability to play sweeper in defence as well is going underrated. Forces the opponent back on their heels having that extra defender type player back. Advantage: Germany
Personnel
In the German Third: I would be surprised if Lionel Messi doesn't line up at right wing today. The chance to have him matched up against Howedes is too good for Argentina to pass up. Outside of that, it's not a great situation for Argentina. Higuain and Aguero/Lavezzi can be neutralized by the rest of this German defence and they still have to find a way past Neuer. Barring a miracle recovery, they also won't have Angel Di Maria to make plays in the midfield. It's Advantage: Germany with the caveat that Lionel Messi has the potential to wreak havoc if matched up one on one with Howedes. I'd personally put Mertesacker in the centre and move Boateng out to cover Messi but doubt that will happen.
In the Midfield: Both teams like to play possession and here and minimize the number of turnovers they commit. Can break down the personnel but simple matter is this. Both teams do the same thing, but Germany better at both and better able to counter-attack off of mistakes. Oh, and strictly based on personnel, they have an advantage as well. Advantage: Germany.
In the Argentine Third: Becoming a broken record but another bad matchup for Argentina. Germany love to attack the centre of the defence with speed and passing. Argentina either goes with intelligence and little speed or speed with mental errors. In either case, Germany can take advantage. Also would be very concerned about Rojo and Zabaleta being caught upfield on counter-attacks. Ask Brazil how that worked against this team. Advantage: Germany.
Goalkeeping: I questioned his #1 in the world status before the tournament. I think there's a couple guys that still have a claim but not doubting any more. Manuel Neuer is an x-factor on a team that really didn't need one. His ability to play sweeper in defence as well is going underrated. Forces the opponent back on their heels having that extra defender type player back. Advantage: Germany
Germany will win if:
Won't have as much possession as they usually do, need to be patient about that. Ghana is the only team they've faced that were able to get sustained midfield possession and Germany panicked when it happened. Keep in control, keep Argentina and Messi away from the scoring area and counter-attack quick when they gain possession. Offensively, they can afford to hang on to the ball as well, but always need to look at getting in to scoring position. Stagnated in games in the group stage because they were content to just sit on the ball. Need to look at attacking the centre of the field from different angles.
Argentina will win if:
Great players are able to take over games such as this one. And Argentina have the best in the world lining up for them in this game. The only knock on Messi's career has been a lack of titles at the international level. If Messi can take over this game the way greats such as Pele and Maradona have before him, his legacy will be cemented amongst them as the greatest players ever. Argentina absolutely need a legendary game out of him today. I do not see a way for them to win if he doesn'tt ake the game over on a personal level.
If Lionel Messi weren't playing, this would be a very mismatched contest. Still is in my opinion but Messi can keep Argentina in the game. Germany the victor of their 4th championship and score at least 2 goals. Whether Argentina score depends on Messi's game.
Germany 2-1 Argentina.
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