Sadly this is the last game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup but before it comes to an end we are to witness an electrifying display from two of the resilient teams in the tournament that hasn't lost any game yet. Both teams have actually met each other in the World Cup finals before in 1986 and 1990 with both teams having a fair share of the trophy in each of the occasions.
Germany has broken several records of all sorts coming off their historic 7-1 win over host Brazil in the semifinals and they are favored to repeat their 1990 World Cup Final victory over Argentina on Sunday. Thomas Müller, who has five goals for the second straight World Cup becoming the first player to do so, and Miroslav Klose, who became the highest scoring World Cup player in history with a goal facing Brazil, lead the German offense. The German attack will be facing an Argentina defense that has been in top form in the knockout stage and did not allow a shot on goal in the first 70 minutes in their semifinal win over the Netherlands. One reason the Germans have looked so impressive is their stellar play in the midfield with the trio of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira and Philipp Lahm, the latter of which has since been moved back to his natural right back position.
Argentina did not look great in that area of the pitch in the semifinal and if they don't improve against the Germans, they could be on their heels all game. Argentina has Lionel Messi, who remains the third betting choice to win the Golden Boot , but the offense is not the reason the squad has advanced to the final. In the three matches for the South American nation in the knockout phase, they have not conceded a single goal. Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, who scored the lone goal in the quarterfinals facing Belgium, will be facing Germany goalie Manuel Neuer, who should win the Golden Glove award. He has been superb in and out of the box and he leads the German defense that has conceded two goals in the three knockout stage matches.
This match will be a close one, but Germany simply is too deep and talented. They have a taste for goals after their last outing and stopping them will be very difficult. Argentina's Lionel Messi would love to complete a trophy haul by adding a World Cup trophy to his cabinet and be seen as a football great like Diego Armando Maradona, and the Albicieste will be more than glad lifting it in their bitter rival's country. It's expected to be a conservative game but it would not be a surprise to see Germany lifting the trophy in South America tonight.
Verdict : Germany to win
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