All Eyes Await The World Cup Final

Thomas Muller
Courtesy Fifa

The Star Studded Germans Or The Lucky Argentinians?

The long awaited World Cup's end finally approaches, as the final for the ultimate prize of what have been possibly the best world cup ever, will be played in no more than 24 hours time at Estadio do Maracana, Rio De Janeiro at 16:00 local time between the mighty Germans and a potentially strong Argentinian side.

The Germans prepare
Courtesy www.dw.de

In the past, these teams have produced some staggering footballing memories, which can be hardly forgotten. Germany have won the competition three times in 1954, 1974 and 1990, whereas the Argentinians have won it twice in 1978 and 1986. The Argentinians who won the grand prize back in time, face a very tough task against what is undoubtedly the strongest German side of all time - who are determined more than ever to get their hands on the trophy which, over the past 3 world cups, they've missed by just a single good match.

When it comes to World Cups, it is known all over the footballing world that Germany is the most consistent side and looking at the all time World Cup record. Despite having won less World Cups than Brazil and Italy, who have won 5 and 4 respectively, the Germans have won it only 3 times, finishing runners-up and as third in the competition 4 times. Marvelous record, isn't it? The Germans earned their ticket to the final after thrashing their Brazilian hosts 7-1 in the semi final. They come with a massive scare on not a very strong Argentinian side, which comes into the final after beating a strong Dutch side on penalties and not at all producing very much of an eye-catching performance throughout the competition. Germans do have a very strong and a massive depth in their squad with the likes of Thomas Mueller, Mesut Oezil, Manuel Neuer, Phillp Lahm and many more - a proper team as you would call it.

On the other hand, when it comes to the Argentinians, they have won the tournament twice and finished up runners-up once. It is after a whopping 24 years that the Argentinians have made it past the quarter finals of the World Cup. They will obviously try to make the most of this chance that they got after such a long time. The South American nation, where playing football is taken as a matter of pride, have got the support of their fans, who have witnessed poor performances in previous competitions in their own continent - South America. Argentina do posses a massive threat up front with the likes of Lavezzi, Gonzalo Higuain and one whom we just can't forget - one of the best players in the World, Leo Messi, who rightly deserves to lift the trophy, and they also have Angel Di Maria who is trying his best to make it to the final, after being subbed off right after 8 minutes in their match against Belgium having suffered a knee injury.

Will Messi be Argentina's savior?
Courtesy Express UK

Head-to-head, in the World Cup, the two footballing giants have met each other 6 times - Argentina winning once, twice ending up in a draw and the Germans snatching victory thrice, so the Germans do have history on their side. Their most recent meeting came in the quarter finals of the previous world cup, where the Germans marched victorious beating the South American side comfortably with the score line of 4-0. Heading into the game, Argentinians have scored 8 goals in their 6 encounters compared to Germany's whopping 17 in their 6 matches! Messi leads the number of goals scored for the Argentinians with 4 goals, which means 50% of their goals have come from the Barcelona man – this indicates that they are a little too dependent on him. Whereas for Germany, Thomas Mueller is the top scorer with a total of 5 goals, who is also in contention for the Golden Boot race, which could be his record-breaking 2nd one in a row, but what's mesmerizing is that his goals only account 30% of German goals, which clearly indicates that they are certainly not dependent on their star man.

At the end it’s just football, and you certainly can never really predict who is going to win, plus it's a final as well. Germany would be looking to end their 24 year wait for the trophy, whereas the Argentinians would be looking to end their 28 year wait. The odds are in the favor of Germany, but Argentina also fashions a very deadly strike force. Whatever happens, one thing is for sure - the final would be a delight to watch with two giant footballing nations and hugely talented players going head to head. Germany are going to win - that's what I am going to say, but don't put your money on it, because as I said it's football. Emotions will run high. There will be tears and there will be noise, and a lot of that.

So what are your predictions? Feel free to comment :)

Enjoy the final! 

This guest post has been written by my friend Syed Haider Ali. He watches sports closely and is a devout football fan.

Syed Haider Ali

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