please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Germany centre-back Mats Hummels missed the second half against Brazil as a precaution because of tendonitis, but is expected to be available. The Germans could name the same side which thrashed the hosts 7-1. Argentina's Angel Di Maria has returned to light training after a thigh injury, but is unlikely to be fit to start. Striker Sergio Aguero is fully recovered from a similar problem and could replace either Ezequiel Lavezzi or Gonzalo Higuain. Argentina fielded Higuain, Aguero and Lionel Messi as part of a front three earlier on in the tournament. However, they may be reluctant to pick such an attacking line-up against the in-form Germans. Left-back Marcos Rojo failed to complete a training session on Friday because of a sore ankle but the problem is not thought to be serious. Head-to-head This is the third World Cup final between Argentina and Germany (including West Germany). Argentina won the first 3-2 in 1986 but were defeated 1-0 at the 1990 tournament. Victory in 1986 is Argentina's only previous World Cup win in six matches against the Germans, and they were eliminated by them at both the 2006 and 2010 tournaments. Their overall World Cup record against Germany or West Germany is W1, D2, L3, although one of those draws was a quarter-final in 2006 which the Germans then won on penalties. Argentina's 4-0 defeat to Germany in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup is their heaviest defeat at the tournament since 1974. The most recent meeting was a friendly in Frankfurt in August 2012 which Argentina won 3-1. Germany This will be the eight time Germany or West Germany have appeared in a World Cup final - a new record. They have won three and lost four of the previous seven finals. A fourth victory would see them match Italy's tally - only five-time champions Brazil have a better record. A win would mean they become the first European side to win the World Cup in the Americas. The Germans have lost more finals (four) than anyone else. That includes three defeats in their last four final appearances. Germany are unbeaten in their last 17 internationals (W12, D5). Their last defeat was a 4-3 loss to the USA in a friendly in June 2013. In Thomas Muller's 12 World Cup appearances he has scored 10 goals and assisted six more. Argentina La Albiceleste have kept four clean sheets at this World Cup, more than any other side (correct prior to third-place play-off). They have yet to concede a goal in the knock-out stage. Lionel Messi has created 21 chances at the 2014 World Cup, more than any other player. Messi has failed to score in his last three games. He has not gone four international matches without a goal since Alejandro Sabella took charge of Argentina in August 2011. Argentina were eliminated by Germany at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. No team has ever been eliminated by the same opponents in the knock-out stage of three successive World Cups. Argentina's squad has an average age of just under 29 - if they win they will replace Italy (2006) as the oldest World Cup winners. They are the only team who have yet to fall behind at the 2014 World Cup.
Going for Germany...can't support Poch's team, can I? #notreallybitter Am impressed by how Germany have rebuilt themselves after hitting an international low, so think they deserve this.
Totally agree with this Fran, plus a small matter of having a good bet on Germany to win the tournament
Ditto on the bet. I think Germany have too much in the middle of the park like Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Oezil and Khedira for Mascherano to keep control off and Biglia and Gago havent been playing well enough. Germany will probably control the midfield for long spells and heap pressure on. Germany 3 - 1 Argentina
The day after England beat Germany 5-1 in Berlin, a colleague said to me, "you watch, Germany will learn from this and come back stronger, we'll learn nothing and go backwards". Should be a cracking game tomorrow. Germany are the better team but Argentina have the better players, imo.
I was liking the first paragraph. Second I disagree with entirely. Argentina have exciting attacking players, good full backs and Mascharano, but Germany have quality everywhere (apart from maybe Mertesaker, who's looked solid in this German team).
Germany don't have a Messi though. Or an Aguero. Whilst it's been great witnessing their team performances, in a World Cup final you hope for a bit of individual brilliance. A Maradonna moment. A Messi moment. Vamos Argentina!
I fear 0-0 & penalties. This has been a great tournament, a few dud games in the knock outs but generally very entertaining. Reminds me a little of Italia 90 and no one has ever wanted to re-watch the Germany/Argentina final from that tournament
Höwedes is the Germans' weakness for sure. Against Holland, Argentina focused their attacks down the right, with Lavezzi playing down there and Messi drifting to that side as well. That was with Blind and Martins Indi defending that side. They'll be more dangerous against Höwedes, that's for sure.
Watching this with a load of our American work colleagues. To be allowed in you have to answer a quiz question, or at least have read the football wikipedia page.
In my position already holding the best table in the pub. Burger and ale for company. Watching this with a group of Germans. Excited.
Got a bit of German in me (something my Nan hid from my Grandad!), and they deserve to win too so I'm rooting for Germany.
I have just been reminded that the pope is Argentinian. He should have some influence with the bloke upstairs, so I now see no reason to hedge my bets.
One of the things I really like about the World Cup Final is that it's the one day we get every four years, where as a country we have the opportunity to actually give a massive, effective '**** off' to ITV.
ITV need to actually start broadcasting their football in better resolution. It is always grainy as **** and blurry when you get close.
The official verdict is in... I've been asking my dogs for pretty much every game this tournament who would win, by holding out two treats and telling them which represented which country. One has about a 50% success rate, as expected, and one somehow has about an 80% success rate - I attribute this to him being part-poodle and therefore smart. I've just done it for the final... 50% dog picks Germany. 80% dog picks Argentina. There we have it guys. Everything you own on the Argies.
