Final prediction
For the final of World Cup 2014, read the final of 1990. A talented Germany against more limited Argentine opponents with one star man expected to carry them through. Twenty-four years ago, not even Diego Maradona could inspire the Albiceleste to victory as they tried but ultimately failed to kill the final and take it all the way to penalties, with Andreas Brehme scoring the only goal with a spot-kick five minutes from the end of normal time.
While this modern day Argentina side is unlikely to be as physical as in 1990 — they had two men sent off, as well as four suspended for the final — their aim will be damage limitation.
You only have to look at the teams’ respective semi-finals to know that, if Lionel Messi and co go on the attack, they are likely to get picked off by the impressive German midfield. Argentina haven’t conceded a goal in the knockout stages, but surely Germany will eventually find a way through, possibly courtesy of pacy second-half substitute Andre Schuerrle running at tired defenders.
Prediction: Germany 1 Argentina 0.
Best player
With no clear outstanding player emerging so far at this World Cup, this award could well be decided in the final, depending on how Germany’s Thomas Mueller and Argentina’s Messi fare. Messi scored four times in the group stage but has gone quiet in the knockouts, while Mueller has been consistent throughout and is my pick as the tournament’s star man thanks to his five goals and three assists — although that could well change if his opposite number goes and wins the final for Argentina. Colombia’s James Rodriguez, the Netherlands’ Arjen Robben and another German, Toni Kroos, are other worthy contenders.
Best emerging player
Rodriguez walks away with this mantle thanks to his classy, mature performances in taking Colombia to the quarter-finals. The 22-year-old is the tournament’s top scorer ahead of Sunday’s final with six goals, proving he has a feel for the big occasion after netting just nine times in his debut season with Monaco.
Rodriguez also created two goals for colleagues as Colombia played some of the best football in the tournament. Honourable mentions also go to pacy teenage Belgium forward Divock Origi, who looks destined for a career in the English Premier League, rangy France midfielder Paul Pogba and energetic Netherlands winger Memphis Depay.
Best goal
While Robin van Persie’s flying header against Spain was spectacular and Tim Cahill’s screamer against the Dutch was a real beauty, I’m going for Rodriguez’s brilliant volley for Colombia against Uruguay in the round of 16. The Monaco man received the ball 25 yards out and showed great awareness to know that his marker had dropped just too deep, allowing him to chest the ball on the half-turn and unleash a wicked left-foot shot that keeper Fernando Muslera could only fingertip on to the underside of the bar and in.
Best match
It may have been a mismatch, but Germany’s 7-1 semi-final mauling of hosts Brazil will surely be the game that this World Cup is remembered for. Germany’s dismantling of the badly flawed Selecao side was spectacular to watch and the emotions it evoked both on and off the pitch were incredible — Brazil players didn’t know where to look as their defence was shredded time and again, while fans of all ages wept in the stands. It was pure football drama.
Other contenders include the Netherlands’ 5-1 romp against champions Spain, France’s 5-2 result over Switzerland and most of Group G’s matches, including the 2-2 draws between Germany and Ghana and USA and Portugal.
Get involved
Have your say by tweeting me @MartinDownerGN or emailing sportsdesk@gulfnews.com
