Messi doesn't win many headers
They did play on the counter but they still committed men forward in their attacks, Rojo and Zabeleta were looking to get forward a lot. I think the reason it stayed 0-0 for so long was that both sides had too many players supporting attacks from outside the area and not enough getting into the box. With Argentina it was because they were attacking quickly and the attacking players were getting pulled wide so there was always 1 or 2 less in the box than there should have been and with Germany they simply didn't have enough players attacking the area, as they each preferred to get onto the ball. Both sets of centrebacks were dominant all game but really they weren't given enough problems. 2 different styles with the same outcome for me.
I know everyone's praising Schweinstiger but Mascherano and Neuer were the 2 most influentinal in stopping the opposition. Neuer must have stopped half a dozen one on ones by coming out quickly, which in turn forced Argentina to attack wider(pulling the attackers away from where they're best. The Germans looked to play their way through the middle a lot too but Mascherano slowed the move down every time, allowing his side to reform their defence. Personally I think we'd have been calling the game one of the great matches had the finishing been better from the few chances they both created, simply because it was such an evenly matched clash of styles.
I was only kidding about the long ball thing, I knew what you meant
I thought Rojo did well, to be honest. There were some bad crosses but some good ones too and his ball to Palacio in extra time was exceptional. Howedes did have a good chance but he made it very difficult by mistiming his run and ending up having to lean back to get any decent contact on it. Had he not attacked it so quickly he would have been running onto the header rather than finding it was behind him. The ball almost came off the back of his head so I think it would have been lucky if it went in.
Messi certainly didn't deserve the award and he still hasn't arrived fully in a major international tournament but at club level he simply blows anyone else out of the water in terms of performances and achievements. He'll retire well worthy of a place amongst Maradonna and Pele as one of the greatest ever, I'm sure.
Mate you should know me well enough by now to know (when I know), that you're kidding! But apologies for not using smileys!
But you are right it was a great game and I remember thinking during the match that this is a good contrast of styles, just for some reason Argentina I find annoying! They just irritate me when I used to be a fan of theirs. Messi's face annoys me and even though I should hate the Germans, I can't help but admire their general attitude and winning mentality. But you gave a fair analysis of the game
