Let us have a look at the 9 steps to nirvana for the teams - Germany and Argentina - who'll be playing the World Cup final on Sunday.
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The Dutch succeeded in restricting Lionel Messi, the world's best player, into a cameo role. Ron Vlaar and Nigel de Jong frustrated the Argentina captain all night long, so much so that he failed to take even one shot at the goal in 120 minutes. Germany coach Joachim Loew wouldn't have missed noticing that. Germany may well opt for Sami Khedira and Philip Lahm to do the same, while calling on the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil to chip in.?(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Originally appeared in: TIMES OF INDIA
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Midfield general Javier Mascherano, and not Lionel Messi, looks increasingly like the man on whom Argentina's fate will depend. He was outstanding against the Dutch, snatching balls, creating and controlling the game and making life-saving tackles. Until he took a nasty knock on the head and became dazed. Mascherano will have four days to sufficiently recover from any ill-effects of the bang on his skull, and the hopes of his nation will rest upon him.?(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Not only did Germany play their semifinal a day early, by half-time they were 5-0 up against Brazil. They clearly didn't need to stretch too much after the break. The likes of Matts Hummels, Miroslav Klose, and Sami Khedira all got a nice mid-match rest after being substituted. Argentina emerged from their attritional display against the Dutch as "sore, beaten, and tired as a result of a war," according to their boss Alejandro Sabella. Add the dose of emotional exhaustion of a penalty shoot-out, and Germany look clear favourites. (AFP)
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Germany have won every game where they scored first. This has been a recurring pattern and Loew's men would love to wrap things up pretty early on Sunday. Germany were on the scoresheet within the first 15 minutes against Portugal, France, and Brazil. Except against Belgium, Argentina have been slow starters so far, scoring late winners in the group stage and finding a last-gasp extra-time decider against Switzerland. (AFP)
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The previous encounter between these two sides ranks as one of the worst matches to have ever graced a final. A 12-year-old Miroslav Klose is one of the few players who would have a vivid memory of the game where Lothar Matthaus's Germans were crowned champions after 1-0 ill-tempered win over Diego Maradona's Argentina. Messi was a mere toddler. Gotze, thankfully, wasn't even born. (Getty Images)
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Germany coach Joachim Loew copped huge criticism when he put captain Philipp Lahm in midfield instead of his usual right-back slot. After consecutive unconvincing shows against the USA, Ghana and Algeria in the group stage, Loew finally restored Lahm to his rightful place and settled for Khedirari Schweinsteiger-Kroos in the midfield. The trio is now the pivot upon which Germany's resilience is built. Having seen the demolition job against Brazil, Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella will know that not allowing Germany's middle to dictate the game will hold the key to their success. (REUTERS)
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The Stones hitman has emerged as a sort of evil musical twin brother of Paul the Octopus at this World Cup. Jagger has backed four teams so far in the tournament and all of them (England, Italy, Portugal and Brazil) were dumped out in unceremoniously. The Jagger curse has gotten so severe that Brazilians have taken to calling him Pe Frio, which translates literally as Cold Feet, a Brazilian term for a jinx. (Getty Images)
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Angel di Maria had an excellent season with Real Madrid. As it happens so often, he lost his mojo in World Cup. Given the struggles of Ezequiel Lavezzi and his replacement Enzo Perez though, Di Maria's return would be a huge boon for Sabella's side if he recovers from a thigh strain on Sunday. As seen against Algeria, Germany are vulnerable to lightning quick attacks.?(Photo by Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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Argentine fans have made matches feel like home games for Lionel Messi's side in Brazil. Brazil's bitterest rivals have travelled in bitterest rivals have travelled droves but it will be the Germans who will have the Maracana behind them on Sunday. The breakout of Brazilian cheer for Germany in their hammering of the hosts was an indicator that the country's 200 million fans will be donning whites and hoping for the first European success on Latin American soil. (Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)
