Germany vs Argentina 13th July 8pm

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

Brazil vs Netherlands 12th July 9pm

Just days after very different kinds of agonizing World Cup semifinal defeats, Brazil and the Netherlands will have to somehow pick themselves up for one last match before departing. The third place playoff has questionable merits as a contest, but there will be particular attention on it this time around to see just how Brazil, and its, public, recover from the most ignominious defeat in the history of the country with more World Cup triumphs than any other.


After a shambolic 7-1 loss to Germany that exposed the meager foundations upon which the team’s quest to lift the trophy for the first time on home soil had been built and decades-long failings in the country’s national game, everyone involved would surely have wanted to slink off and lick their wounds. Instead they must face the music in the nation’s capital, Brasilia. Scolari has claimed there was no need for major overhaul going forward and that 13 or 14 of the current squad would be present in Russia in four years' time. And the team’s lineup in training surprisingly suggests changes will be few and far between against the Netherlands. Were that not to be the case, Marcelo and David Luiz, who embodied the complete recklessness and heart triumphing over head nature of Brazil’s play could be taken out of the firing line. That looks likely to happen with Fernandinho, whose mistakes led to two of Germany’s four goals in an incredible six minute spell. Thankfully for Scolari, he can welcome back key defender and captain Thiago Silva, whose absence for suspension was painfully felt. Neymar, of course, remains sidelined.

In contrast to Brazil’s , the Netherlands' semifinal loss was by the slimmest of margins, but still was no less painful. Coach Louis van Gaal had no hesitation in calling the third place game "a match that should never be played, and that the one award that counts is becoming world champions." The 62-year-old, who will take over at Manchester United immediately following the tournament, is also aggrieved that his side will have a day less rest, especially after playing for more than 120 minutes. Having admitted that he is still unsure over the physical state of several players, Van Gaal is likely to make several changes to his lineup, especial Having made a surprisingly speedy recovery from a groin injury to last an hour against Argentina, Nigel de Jong may sit this one out. The same could be the case for Robin van Persie, who was battling a stomach complaint ahead of the semifinal and has been off form throughout the knockout phase. Jordy Clasie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar could get their first starts of the tournament.

Perhaps it will be easier for the Netherlands to lift themselves for the match, given their expectations, at least externally, coming into the tournament were far less than those of Brazil’s . Indeed, Van Gaal deserves much credit for leading a thin squad, containing a large number of players yet to prove themselves at the top level, to the last four. And Brazil will need to save their face after the 7-1 thumping from the Germans and at least secure a third place finish. The third place has witnessed over 2.5 goals once since the last 7 editions of the FIFA World Cup while the rest were over 3.5 goals. The game can actually go either way but I expect an open entertaining third place match.

Verdict: Over 3.5 goals

FIFA WORLD CUP SOCCER BALLS

I might not have the opportunity to do this till about four years, so I'm taking this chance to give you all a tour of the FIFA World Cup official soccer balls dating back from 1970. Adidas has been the Official Soccer ball manufacturer for the World Cup and it's no gainsaying that they have tended to produce soccer balls that matches with the spirit of the competition as it rotates by the hosts in the different continents.

Mexico, 1970 (Telstar)

Adidas started to make soccer
balls in 1963 but made the first official FIFA World Cup ball in 1970. This is the first ball used in the World Cup to use the Buckminster type of design. Also, the first ball with 32 black and white panels. The TELSTAR was more visible on black and white televisions (1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico was the first to be broadcast live on television).

West Germany,1974 (Telstar Durlast R)

Two match balls were used in 1974. adidas Telstar was updated with new black branding replacing the gold branding and a new all - white version of Telstar named adidas. Chile was introduced. 1974 was also the first time World Cup match balls could carry names and logos.

Argentina, 1978 (Tango Durlast)

The ball design represented elegance, dynamism and passion. The 1978 match ball included 20 panels with triads that created an optical impression of 12 identical circles. The Tango inspired the match ball design for the following five World Cup tournaments.

Spain, 1982 (Tango Espana)

Adidas introduced a new ball which had rubber inlaid over the seams to
prevent water from seeping through. The first ball with water-resistant
qualities.General wear from kicking
however meant the rubber began to wear after a short time and needed to be replaced during the game. The
last genuine leather world cup ball.

Mexico, 1986 (Azteca)

The FIFA World Cup Mexico, saw the introduction of the first polyurethane
coated ball which was rain resistant. The first synthetic match ball, with good qualities on hard and wet surfaces. The ball was the first to include designs inspired by the host nation. The Azteca was elegantly decorated with designs inspired by Mexicans Aztec architecture and murals.

Italy, 1990 (Etrusco)

The first ball with an internal layer
of black polyurethane foam. The name and design paid homage to Italy’s history and the fine art of the Etruscans.

USA, 1994 (Questra)

FIFA World Cup USA, 1994, official ball which was enveloped in a layer of polystyrene foam. This not only made it more waterproof but allowed
the ball greater acceleration when kicked. The new game ball felt softer to the touch. Improved ball control
and higher velocity during play.
The ball's design represents space technology, high velocity rockets and Americans quest for the stars.

France, 1998 (Tricolore)

By 1998, FIFA World Cup France
was played with a ball which sported the French red white-blue tri-color. A complete departure from the old traditional black and white pattern. The first official World Cup colored soccer ball. The TRICOLORE used under glass print technology with a thin layer of syntactic foam.

Korea Japan, 2002 FIFA World Cup
Adidas created a new ball made up of thicker inner layers to increase the accuracy of the ball in flight. Fevernova included a refined syntactic foam layer that allowed for more precise and predictable flight path. Asian culture inspired the revolutionary colorful look.

Germany, Berlin (Teamgeist ball and Final Ball 2006)
A radically new configuration reduced the amount of panel touch points forming a smooth and perfectly round exterior that improved accuracy and control. Prior to the Teamgeist, the surface of World Cup match balls had notable differences depending on where a player would strike the ball due to seams, ridges and other imperfections where panels come together. The revolutionary propeller design of the
Teamgeist minimised corners and created a smoother surface for improved play. The ball was designed with traditional colors of the German flag and was accentuated with the golden color of the World Cup trophy.

South Africa 2010 (Jabulani)

The Jabulani featured a new grip n groove technology that provided players a ball with stable flight and grip under all conditions. With eight thermally bonded 3-D panels that were spherically molded for the first time, the Jabulani was more round and accurate than its predecessors.

Jo'bulani - the Gold Final Official Match Ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

2011 Women's World Cup Official
Match Ball -Speedwell

Brazil 2014 (Brazuca)
Brazuca was confirmed as the match ball name after a public vote in Brazil,
participated in by more than one million soccer fans in the host country.

Netherlands vs Argentina 9th July 9pm

On Wednesday the second World Cup finalist will be decided, with Netherlands and Argentina going head to head over a chance to play Germany for football's biggest prize. For the Oranje, the semifinal will be a fairly familiar scenario, as they finished as runners-up to Spain in South Africa in 2010. The Netherlands will certainly be without injured midfielder Nigel de Jong, while Leroy Fer and Ron Vlaar both face late fitness tests. Jonathan de Guzmán could come into the midfield in place of winger Memphis Depay, with Louis van Gaal likely to look for a little more midfield muscle in order to try and counter the threat of Argentina's main man Lionel Messi.


Argentina, however, haven't made it into the final four of a World Cup since they were beaten finalists in 1990. The Netherlands were excellent in the group stages, but have been significantly less convincing against more defensive sides in the knockouts. Argentina, meanwhile, had a close shave against Switzerland in the round of 16, and haven't won a single match by more than a goal so far.Argentina will be without injured midfielder Angel Di María , with the more defensive minded Enzo Pérez likely to fill his role alongside Javier Mascherano and Fernando Gago. Sergio Kun Agüero has made a quick recovery from his group stage muscular injury and could well feature in this match, though it's unlikely he'll displace Ezequiel Lavezzi for a starting spot. He was previously thought to be out for the rest of the tournament.


After Germany thoroughly unsettled Brazil by a record 7-1 scoreline last night it goes a long way to prove how unpredictable these European teams can be. Netherlands has been high flying in the group stages scoring 5 past the defending Champions though they have been quite conservative of recent while Argentina had found it difficult to win any team by more than a goal margin. With respect to last night's game Thiago Silva's absence was heavily felt in the Brazilian defence, even if they would have lost I'm convinced that it would not be up to a six-goal margin if Thiago Silva and Neymar Junior was present. The absence of Angel Di Maria would as well spell doom for the Albiceleste in their race to face Germany in the World Cup finals.


Verdict: Netherlands to win

Brazil vs Germany 8th July 9pm

Host nation will miss their star striker Neymar in this game as the 22 year old player got injured in last match against Colombia. Not only this, their favorite captain Thiago Silva is also banned for this clash after receiving a second yellow card in this competition and Dante might as well replace him in the spot today. It is expected that David Luiz could take charge as the captain. Last time, both teams met in 2002 World Cup final match. Brazil lifted the 5th FIFA World Cup trophy defeating the Die Mannschaft by 2-0. So, it is a great chance for Germany to make it to the final. Now, all responsibilities on the shoulders of David Luiz who have to play an essential role against coach Joachim Low's squad. Defense could play a vital role for host nation which could lead to penalties.

Miroslav Klose is still waiting for one
more goal to be on top of World Cup all time top goal scorer. His team partner Thomas Muller is in the race of Golden boot who scored 4 goals in 5 games so far. Germany have well experienced as well as young talent players. Matt Hummels is tasting the huge success in this world cup. He has scored 2 goals against one of the strongest teams like Portugal & France. His last goal vs France was winning goal for DFB eleven.

As expected it's going to be a tough game for both sides. Joachim Löw has failed to disregard the Brazilian side despite loosing their top players, both teams will be conservative and rely most on the counter-attack. I expect the game to be settled after 90 minutes of intense action.

Verdict: Draw