adminONE of the greatest World Cups in history comes down to a final between two countries with mixed memories of playing against each other for the biggest sporting prize on the planet. In 1986, Argentina beat Germany in the final in Mexico. Four years later, Germany were crowned world champions after beating the South Americans.
Now they prepare for a third final against each other in a game that pitches the best European side of the tournament against the best from South America, as Argentina look to win at the home of their greatest rivals Brazil.
It is also a match that provides Lionel Messi a chance to seal his position in the pantheon of football greats. He has won everything there is to win at club level, scooped up four Ballon d’Or awards and now stands one match away from emulating Diego Maradona by guiding Argentina to World Cup glory.
Messi has been the main man for the Albiceleste during the tournament, scoring four goals so far and creating Angel Di Maria’s extra-time winner in the last 16 victory over Switzerland.
The Barcelona man is likely to again find himself without the support of Di Maria for the final after the midfielder missed the semi-final against the Netherlands with a thigh problem.
Di Maria has been doing some training as he desperately tries to return to action, but Sunday’s final is expected to come too soon. Sergio Aguero, though, is in contention for a starting spot after coming on as a substitute against Holland on his return from a similar muscle injury.
Standing in the way of Argentina’s quest for a third World Cup triumph are Germany, who arrive in Rio de Janeiro fresh from a 7-1 massacre of hosts Brazil in the semi-final and brimming with confidence.
For Germany, this final represents the finish line following the restructure of the country’s football set-up in the wake of a dire performance at Euro 2000. For all the plaudits they have received in recent years, the team has not yet won an international trophy.
Joachim Low’s side will start as slight favourites following the brutal demolition of Brazil and given they have come out on top in their last two World Cup encounters against Argentina, winning on penalties in 2006 and thrashing the side coached by Maradona 4-0 in 2010.
Germany are a ruthless, efficient machine with no obvious weaknesses and several options in every position.
Without a star player in the mould of Messi or Neymar, the Europeans have relied on Thomas Muller to lead their attack. The Bayern Munich man has scored five goals in this World Cup and is one short of drawing level with James Rodriguez to win the Golden Boot, just as he did in South Africa four years ago. He has also never lost a match when playing against Messi.
Low is expected to name the same team that started against Brazil as Germany attempt to become the first European country to win a World Cup on South American soil.
The Argentina great Diego Maradona insists he would be glad to see Barcelona forward Lionel Messi take up his mantle if he emulates his 1986 World Cup win, urging him to put his tiredness to one side
Maradona hope Messi can deliver a performance that betters his 1986 displays to lead Argentina past Germany in today’s final.
The Albiceleste, who progressed to the showpiece at the Maracana after a 4-2 penalty shootout win over the Netherlands, are aiming to lift their third World Cup and their first since Mexico in 1986 where they defeated die Mannschaft 3-2 in the final.
Maradona inspired the Argentines to the trophy with his displays in 1986, winning the Golden Ball en route to the triumph, and says he would be delighted if Messi does the same.
“If on Sunday (today) Messi has to overcome Maradona to lift the cup, I’ll give him the red carpet,” the 53-year-old told the De Zurda TV programme.
“He will be the player who will define the game. The only fear I have is that he is tired, but in the end you cannot be tired. I think he will understand. If you miss a shot on Sunday (today), you only resemble the best in the world.”
Today’s final represents the third time Germany and Argentina have met at this stage of the competition, and Maradona insisted that he was happy to face Joachim Low’s side despite their stunning 7-1 win over Brazil in the semis.
“Germany is not impossible,” he added.
“Argentina can do it. Against Algeria, we saw one Germany, and against Brazil (we saw) another. We all expected it to be Brazil in the final. Argentina are going in strengthened. Once again Argentine football is back at the top. The jersey had lost prestige. Today it got it back.
“The Argentines need to win this final. It could not be an all European final in South America, so we represent our continent. We could not allow it.” – Goalcom.
Online Reporter