Yesterday the Netherlands lost to Argentina in penalties. In the end, it was a fair game, called well by the refs and, no real controversy.
As a fan of the Netherlands (my grandparents are immigrants from Holland after world war 2) it really sucked to see this happen but the fact is that it was as fair game and the Argentinian goal keeper played very well in shoot out. Nothing you can do. What's fair is fair.
So now it's on to the grand final.
Germany versus Argentina.
If you read my post before the World Cup started I predicted that Germany would take the title this year. I'm sticking to that.
I feel like the Germans have a better squad all around and although Argentina has (arguably) the world's best player it will not be enough.
Funny enough: in 1986 Argentina won the World Cup by beating West Germany in Mexico. Germany got revenge in 1990 by beating Argentina to win the World cup, so this is the rubber match and to the winner? Their second World Cup title.
Head to Head, Argentina has beat Germany 9 times and has scored 28 times during those 9 wins. Germany has won 6 times and managed to scored 28 times themselves.
The top scorers for each team in this World Cup has Messi of Argentina notching 4 goals while Germany's Muller has 5.
Argentina is ranked 5th in the FIFA ranking while Germany is ranked 2nd.
Outside of the "goals scored over the tournament" category (Argentina has 8, Germany has 17) this match looks VERY close on paper. If we adjust Germany's number to 10 because of the beating they laid on Brazil, that number looks very close again!
So why do I believe that Germany is going to win this game? A couple reasons:
- Germany has been in the past 4 World Cup semi-finals.
- Germany plays a more team focused game while Argentina leans on a few key players (primarily Messi and the hot goaltending of Romero).
- Germany's back line, while younger, all play for big name clubs and have experience playing in big tournaments. Not to mention this German team has played together in international competitions where German has made deep runs.
In a couple words: This German team knows how to win and that's why I believe Germany will be the 2014 World cup Champions.
