World Cup Days 28, 29, 30 & 31 - Previewing the Final
[Sunday 13th July 2014]
Tonight, we come face to face with the biggest game on Earth - hell, it's possibly the biggest thing on Earth full stop! Watched by billions, many of whom dreamt of this night as kids and acted it out on the playground. Football fanatics, casual fans and their other halves will gather around a screen and watch the tactical chess and floodlit pageantry of the World Cup Final. Descending on the Maracana are Germany - who denied Brazil their shot at redemption - and Argentina, whose win would be the ultimate humiliation for the hosts.
Sitting alongside excitement in my emotional waiting room is sadness. I'm absolutely gutted that this is ending. This World Cup has been mostly sensational and reminded a disillusioned Newcastle fan like me why I love football. It has rekindled the passion, if only temporarily, and brought longlasting memories. In a few days, I'll blog on the best moments of World Cup 2014, but first we need to see if the Final produces that huge moment of destiny. Will Leo Messi lead Argentina to victory and confirm what many naysayers struggle to admit - that Messi is the greatest player of all time?
It's the night that defines his career. 354 career goals for Barcelona, 4 World Player of the Years, numerous trophies, hat-tricks and records - all incredible, but for many it'll always be about tonight. Maradona won it, Messi needs to. At 27, he'll have another World Cup in him but there's a sense that this is his only chance. With 4 goals and pivotal assists, whilst it still isn't fair to say Messi has single-handedly dragged Argentina to the Final, they definitely wouldn't be here without him.
The fear he instils in opponents is visible. Teams are scared to attack because, if it goes wrong, they know Messi will be there to punish them. Holland were toothless on Wednesday night and were playing for penalties from the start, mostly because Van Gaal knew he could never totally commit to attack. What will be interesting tonight is whether the Germans double-up on Messi, or if they become the first team to just concentrate on their own game. And it's a good game - it destroyed Brazil - which gives Jogi Low's men the confidence to perhaps 'ignore' Messi. In the end, whether they do or don't will define which way the trophy goes.
The Germans are aiming to become the first European nation to win a South American World Cup and are bookmakers' favourites to do so. Their high defensive line has looked shaky at times and the Brazil game didn't dispel those worries. With only the slow and lethargic Fred to deal with, it was easy for Germany to push their defenders up and create a dominant midfield, which penetrated Brazil's weak left hand side. Argentina won't let them do this. Their strikers are quick and will exploit the high line, with a solid defence that won't go into total meltdown like Brazil did in those crazy 400 seconds. It's a very tough game to call.
Sabella has to decide whether to risk Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero tonight although, if there's one game to ever risk somebody, it's this one. Mascherano apparently tore his anus whilst making a remarkable injury time block on Robben's shot, but it's vital that he plays. Mascherano has been quietly magnificent this summer and is a huge part of why Argentina's defence has been so resolute. Sabella's other decision is whether to stick with Martin Demichelis or return to pairing Fernandez with Garay in defence, although Demichelis is more likely.
Despite the incredible occasion, atmosphere and narratives surrounding this match, it's probably best to anticipate a cagey affair - an attritional, dramatic war between two gifted teams. I could quite easily see this going to extra time too, although hopefully the world champions won't be decided by penalties. For me, Germany will just edge the final, as my rule is that world champions must have a good coach and a good goalkeeper. Sabella isn't particularly good, whilst Romero still makes me shout "dodgy keeper" when a cross comes in - I feel like a mistake is right around the corner. On the other hand, I can picture Low and Neuer as World Cup winners. Germany 1-0 Argentina after extra time.
After going almost 40 years without a competitive defeat on home soil, Brazil made it two in four days after crumbling 3-0 to Holland. Arguably, the 3rd place playoff isn't competitive, but whatever! David Luiz - the world's most expensive defender - had another pitiful performance as the Brazilians never looked in this game. Cillessen had virtually nothing to do! Straight after kick off, the Dutch won a penalty, which Van Persie scored. Daley Blind and Giorginio Wijnaldum's late strike completed the misery and started the postmortem. After bringing on Michel Vorm for Cillessen, Holland have used every member of their squad in this World Cup - impressive! 3rd place for Louis Van Gaal, 4th for the hosts.
Whilst Brazilians will be mourning the death of their magical mystique, either Germany or Argentina will be delirious in 12 hours time. The biggest match of all time, the biggest event on Earth is upon us and I, for one, cannot wait. Thank you for a marvellous World Cup and hopefully we have a memorable Final to round it off.
PS/ C'mon Argentina!!!!
Tonight, we come face to face with the biggest game on Earth - hell, it's possibly the biggest thing on Earth full stop! Watched by billions, many of whom dreamt of this night as kids and acted it out on the playground. Football fanatics, casual fans and their other halves will gather around a screen and watch the tactical chess and floodlit pageantry of the World Cup Final. Descending on the Maracana are Germany - who denied Brazil their shot at redemption - and Argentina, whose win would be the ultimate humiliation for the hosts.
Sitting alongside excitement in my emotional waiting room is sadness. I'm absolutely gutted that this is ending. This World Cup has been mostly sensational and reminded a disillusioned Newcastle fan like me why I love football. It has rekindled the passion, if only temporarily, and brought longlasting memories. In a few days, I'll blog on the best moments of World Cup 2014, but first we need to see if the Final produces that huge moment of destiny. Will Leo Messi lead Argentina to victory and confirm what many naysayers struggle to admit - that Messi is the greatest player of all time?
It's the night that defines his career. 354 career goals for Barcelona, 4 World Player of the Years, numerous trophies, hat-tricks and records - all incredible, but for many it'll always be about tonight. Maradona won it, Messi needs to. At 27, he'll have another World Cup in him but there's a sense that this is his only chance. With 4 goals and pivotal assists, whilst it still isn't fair to say Messi has single-handedly dragged Argentina to the Final, they definitely wouldn't be here without him.
The fear he instils in opponents is visible. Teams are scared to attack because, if it goes wrong, they know Messi will be there to punish them. Holland were toothless on Wednesday night and were playing for penalties from the start, mostly because Van Gaal knew he could never totally commit to attack. What will be interesting tonight is whether the Germans double-up on Messi, or if they become the first team to just concentrate on their own game. And it's a good game - it destroyed Brazil - which gives Jogi Low's men the confidence to perhaps 'ignore' Messi. In the end, whether they do or don't will define which way the trophy goes.
The Germans are aiming to become the first European nation to win a South American World Cup and are bookmakers' favourites to do so. Their high defensive line has looked shaky at times and the Brazil game didn't dispel those worries. With only the slow and lethargic Fred to deal with, it was easy for Germany to push their defenders up and create a dominant midfield, which penetrated Brazil's weak left hand side. Argentina won't let them do this. Their strikers are quick and will exploit the high line, with a solid defence that won't go into total meltdown like Brazil did in those crazy 400 seconds. It's a very tough game to call.
Sabella has to decide whether to risk Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero tonight although, if there's one game to ever risk somebody, it's this one. Mascherano apparently tore his anus whilst making a remarkable injury time block on Robben's shot, but it's vital that he plays. Mascherano has been quietly magnificent this summer and is a huge part of why Argentina's defence has been so resolute. Sabella's other decision is whether to stick with Martin Demichelis or return to pairing Fernandez with Garay in defence, although Demichelis is more likely.
Despite the incredible occasion, atmosphere and narratives surrounding this match, it's probably best to anticipate a cagey affair - an attritional, dramatic war between two gifted teams. I could quite easily see this going to extra time too, although hopefully the world champions won't be decided by penalties. For me, Germany will just edge the final, as my rule is that world champions must have a good coach and a good goalkeeper. Sabella isn't particularly good, whilst Romero still makes me shout "dodgy keeper" when a cross comes in - I feel like a mistake is right around the corner. On the other hand, I can picture Low and Neuer as World Cup winners. Germany 1-0 Argentina after extra time.
After going almost 40 years without a competitive defeat on home soil, Brazil made it two in four days after crumbling 3-0 to Holland. Arguably, the 3rd place playoff isn't competitive, but whatever! David Luiz - the world's most expensive defender - had another pitiful performance as the Brazilians never looked in this game. Cillessen had virtually nothing to do! Straight after kick off, the Dutch won a penalty, which Van Persie scored. Daley Blind and Giorginio Wijnaldum's late strike completed the misery and started the postmortem. After bringing on Michel Vorm for Cillessen, Holland have used every member of their squad in this World Cup - impressive! 3rd place for Louis Van Gaal, 4th for the hosts.
Whilst Brazilians will be mourning the death of their magical mystique, either Germany or Argentina will be delirious in 12 hours time. The biggest match of all time, the biggest event on Earth is upon us and I, for one, cannot wait. Thank you for a marvellous World Cup and hopefully we have a memorable Final to round it off.
PS/ C'mon Argentina!!!!
