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The star players from the German and Argentine teams have won many accolades, honours and trophies. But the World Cup 2014 Final will probably be the biggest match of their careers as both countries seek to win their first World Cup in over two decades.
The match pits the most complete team currently– Germany against (arguably) the best player on the planet – Lionel Messi. Form and logic seem to suggest that Germany are favourites for the title, if they manage to keep Messi quiet. However the Germans will be wary of not focussing only on containing Messi, as some of his teammates are equally capable of hurting the opposition.
Venue
Built for the 1950 World Cup, the Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, better known as the “Maracana” in Rio de Janiero will be hosting the 2014 World Cup Final. The Maracana presently has a capacity of 74,738, and not one seat will be left unoccupied for the final of the biggest sporting extravaganza on the planet. At one point of time, it was the largest stadium in the world, and 199,854 spectators attended the 1950 World Cup Final. Though refurbishment and renovation led to a reduction in the capacity, it is still the biggest football stadium in Brazil. It will also serve as the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Kick-off Time
July 13, 2014: 4:00 pm - Local Time (Brazil)
June 14, 2014: 12:30 am – Indian Standard Time (IST)
Possible Starting Line-ups
Germany are likely to retain the same XI that thrashed Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final. This would mean another start for veteran Miroslav Klose, who became the highest goalscorer in World Cup history after his goal against Brazil. Klose’s likely successor Thomas Müller will look to continue his rich goalscoring form. The star-studded German side looks unstoppable on paper.
Germany (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Lahm, Boeteng, Hummels, Höwedes; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Müller, Kroos, Özil; Klose
The fortunes of the Argentines will largely rest on the performance of their talismanic captain Lionel Messi, who has been the team’s standout player in the tournament. Sergio Aguero looked short of fitness in the semi-final against Netherlands, and may again have to settle for a start from the bench with Ezequiel Lavezzi forming the attacking quartet with Messi, Ángel di María (who missed the semifinal, but is expected to be fit for the final) and Gonzalo Higuain.
Argentina (4-2-3-1): Romero; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Rojo; Biglia, Mascherano; di María, Messi, Lavezzi; Higuain
Key Facts and Stats
- The teams have met 20 times before, with Germany winning 6 games, Argentina winning 9 games and 5 games ending in stalemate.
- Germany and Argentina will be facing off in a World Cup Final for the third time, after 1986 and 1990. This is a record for any two teams in World Cup history.
- Argentina won the 1986 Final beating West Germany 3-2, while the Germans got their revenge 4 years later winning 1-0.
- The last encounter between the two sides was in 2012 in which Argentina won 3-1, while the two teams faced off in the previous two editions of the World Cup. Germany won both games: 4-0 in 2010 and on penalties in 2006.
- A total of 56 goals have been scored in the matches between the two sides with each team having scored 28 goals each.
- The Argentines have scored only 8 goals in the tournament so far, compared to the 17 scored by the Germans. After the 7-1 win over Brazil, Germany have overtaken the hosts as the highest goal-scorers in the World Cup history with 223 goals.
Key Battles
Thomas Müller vs Marco Rojo
With 5 goals and 3 assists, Müller has undoubtedly been the key player for the Germans in the tournament, and will be expected to create and score goals in the final. The player who is likely to be tasked to contain Müller will be left-back Marcos Rojo, as the winger is likely to be played at the right flank to accommodate Miroslav Klose. Rojo has had a good tournament as well, and will fancy his chances of keeping Müller quiet in the game.
Benedikt Höwedes vs Lionel Messi and Ángel di María
Considered by many as the only weak link in the German side, Höwedes will have an unenviable task of keeping Lionel Messi and Ángel di María in check on the flanks during the final. Höwedes’s natural position is centre-back, but has been shifted to the left-back spot in the tournament, and has preferred to generally stay back in his own half and not look to attack. This aspect of his play may not create many chances on the left flank for the Germans, but may well keep Messi and di María quiet.
Toni Kroos vs Javier Mascherano
Kroos is the one of the most creative German players, and was brilliant in the semi-final win over Brazil. With his ability to create and score goals, Kroos will be a big threat to the Argentines, and Javier Mascherano is likely to be the player to keep him quiet. Mascherano himself has had a brilliant tournament so far, and had a brilliant game in the semi-final where he subdued Arjen Robben very effectively.
Prediction
Predicted scoreline: Germany 2-1 Argentina (Goals from Müller, Kroos and Higuain)
Match Officials
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA))
Assistant Referee 1: Renato Faverani (ITA)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Stefani (ITA)
Fourth official: Carlos Vera (ECU)
