My World Cup Review

Germany 0 : 0 Argentina

Germany 1 : 0 Argentina (aet)

The World Cup final is here. We will have a winner. Either Germany or Argentina will come away from Brazil the champions of world football for the next 4 years. 

Can Germany bring their devastating form into this match after the very public humiliation of the hosts, Brazil. Or will it be a moment of magic from the most gifted footballer of modern football, Messi?

Many expected the game to be a tight affair with both teams taking their time to settle, but it was quite the opposite. Germany kicked off and immediately went on the attack. They had brought the confidence into this game.  Their passing tidy, slick, effortless. Argentina on the ball, direct, with pace looking to surprise the German defence. So far the game is showing signs of an epic. The first chance of an opening goal fell to Higuain. A careless header back from Kross was intercepted by the Argentinian but he rushed his shot and it went wide. Germany let off the hook and Kross can breath again. Higuain did put the ball in the net but he was correctly flagged offside. Argentina became more of a threat as the half continued and Lavezzi was causing a few problems of his own. Germany were a little rattled. They weathered the storm and found their rhythm again. Messi is winning the running race against the German defence as he got through again. No end product yet but you feel it's coming. A glorious chance for the Germans as a free header from Howedes struck the post. He should have done better. 

For a 0-0 in a World Cup final this first half was a thoroughly enjoyable 45 minutes. More of the same please, but let's have a few more goals. 

The second half exploded into action with Argentina already into an early assault on the German goal and this time it was Messi breaking through. Surely he is to score? No! It went narrowly wide. Germans again with a sigh of relief. There was another nasty collision as Neuer came running out to punch the ball but clattered into Higuain, but the ref gave a foul against the striker. It was reminiscent of the horrific incident between Schumacher and Battiston in 1982. 

The game became more unsettled as there were little niggley challenges creeping into the game. More yellow cards were being brandished. A different tale to the first half. Messi again trying to weave his way through but even he was finding it difficult. As the half drew to a close the Germans were taking their turn in dominating the game. They were pressing high and looking dangerous. 

The game finished and we now have extra time again in the final. Will we get a winner or will it be decided by penalties?

Wow, what a start to the extra time. Both teams taking turns to attack. Schürrle with a good shot saved. Palacio clear through and a lob going wide. No one is backing down or sitting back. 

15 minutes to go, anyone willing to take the game by the scruff of the neck? 

We really do have blood sweat and tears. Schweinsteiger was caught in the face from a flailing arm from Aguero. Naughty. Tempers increasing. The German bench not happy. 

WE HAVE IT!! A goal!! Germany scored. The young Gotze with a cool finish. Schürrle with a run down the left, clipped in and the German controlled on the chest and dispatched the ball into the goal. 8 minutes remain. Argentina HAVE to go for it, but this will leave them light at the back. Are those 2 chances from Higuain or Messi haunt them? 

That's its, it's over GERMANY - WINNERS OF THE 2014 WORLD CUP!! 

The game was a right affair, and it was a great game to watch for the neutrals. Germany over the years have been building up for this. Their philosophy of young players being bedded into a team and given the opportunity to grow. Now they are world champions after 24 years. 

Argentina still wait for their next World Cup win, heartbreaking to watch but it wasn't their year. 

Congratulation Germany

My World Cup review

Holland 0 : 0 Argentina 

Holland play Argentina in the last semi final and to play for a place in the World Cup final. Where the winner will play Germany. 

Both teams will have seen what Germany did to Brazil so they will know that they must play well to reach the final, but that they then have to face a destructive German squad. 

The game started in a cagey fashion as both team tried to cement authority on the game, yet not give anything away with what's at stake. Both were not over committing, just happy to sit back and see how everything unfolds. A dangerous free kick for Argentina was well saved by the recalled Dutch 'keeper Cillessen. Argentina were starting to become the dominant side by 25 minutes as they had registered a few shots and corners starting to add up. Holland struggling to get a foot hold as it stands. After 30 minutes the game remained goalless (whereas the Germans were already 5-0 up from the previous game) and Holland were finding it difficult to break down Argentinas defence. They were shutting out both Robben and Van Persie and doing it well. The rhythm of the game died down and the feeling was a little subdued. It wasn't as intense as the first semi final and both teams need to step it up. 

The orange men were more attack minded at the start of the second half as they pressed higher and started to gain more possession. They still were unable to launch any direct threat at the argentine goal but the warning signs are starting to light up. A great last challenge header from Janmaat stopped a certain goal as he  jumped in front of Higuain and cleared the danger. Hollands possession continues to increase as the half progressed but yet again there was no end product. Now Argentina were starting to struggle and even Messi was not having the impact we all thought he would as he blazed a free kick well and truly over. Around 80% of the stadium thought we got the first goal as a pass was skimmed into the box on the wet ground found Higuian sliding in and his shot hit the side netting. So close! This did give the game a lift, but not by much. No one threatened again up until the final 5 minutes. Holland this time had a glorious chance as Robben found his way through on goal but another last ditch tackle from Mascherano prevented the striker getting a clean shot on target. Full time was called, now we head into extra time. 

It was Holland that continued with the dominance as the extra time started. Fatigue has set in and the players are now struggling to inject any speed into the game. But there is something in the back of your mind which thought that both Messi and Robben could still produce a moment of magic out of nothing. 

Into the last 15 minutes of this game and it started with a thud as Zabaletta was (accidentally) knockout out momentarily from a 50/50 challenge from Kuyt as the Dutchmans shoulder made contact with Zabalettas head. The possession traded between both teams. This is surely heading to penalties. A chance?!? Wasted. Palacio couldn't convert which looked to be a glorious chance. A last ditch effect from Holland ends with nothing. 

The defence wins in this game as it finished 0-0. It's going to be decided by penalties.

Holland - XOXO

Argentina - OOOO

Argentina win the penalty shootout. 

Germany face Argentina in the final. And if it is to be judged on the semi final performances Germany will easily win. However, luckily for Argentina they have 4 days to recover and revise. 

My World Cup Review

Argentina 1 : 0 Belgium

Quarter final number 3 as Argentina take on Belgium. Argentina are out to prove that they do not rely on one man whereas Belgium are out to stop one man; Messi. 

Both teams full of great players looking to take authority early on, took time to settle. On the 10th minute Messi got the ball in the centre of the pitch, twisted and turned and fed the ball out wide. When played in it deflected to Higuain who instinctively shot first time which caught Cortuois off guard. 1-0. The tempo slowed and Argentina were controlling the game, Messi showing his class with an exquisite pass like a hot knife through butter found Di Maria who's shot was blocked.  Belgium managed to contain Argentina but it took them until the 41st minute to threaten as a Mirallas header just went wide. A predictable end to the first half and Argentina lead. 

Argentina started the brighter of the two in the second half and a great run from Higuain gave him the opportunity to unleash a fierce shot which skimmed the top of the bar. Considering that Belgium are playing for a place in the semi final they had no urgency about their play, they looked out of ideas. This wasn't helped though as Argentina continued to command the game. The attitude of Belgium was summed up in the 75th as they won a dangerous free kick and with it a chance to cause damage. Instead Mertens went for goal and went well wide. His teams mates perplexed with his decision. As the time ran out, Belgium's attitude changed and they attacked more. They could not get through and they were very nearly punished for be too adventurous as Messi went 1 on 1 with Cortuois but he pulled off a great save and still gave his team that 1 last chance. They did get it but Lukaku's pull back was cleared and the follow up volley went sky high. 

Argentina now face either Holland or Costa Rica in the semi final and whoever they face, it's going to be a great encounter. 

My World Cup Review

Argentina 0 : 0 Switzerland

Argentina 1 : 0 Switzerland (aet)

Messi leads Argentina against Switzerland in this first round knockout. Both teams looking to progress and set up a quarter final game against either Belgium or USA. Switzerland defended well, and they had to with Messi on the opponents team! They kept him at bay not giving him any opportunity to cause any damage. Switzerland had a glorious chance to take the lead. A through ball found Drmic who had plenty of time and space but he may have seen the headlines in his head and went for a cute, delicate chip but Romero just stood there and grateful caught it easily. Will the Swiss regret that chance?

Argentina continued to dominate and  the second half was mainly one sided. Argentina had numerous chances but no one could convert. Switzerland tried to conjure up attacks of their own but as they entered the final third they seemed to lose ideas. Even though Messi has had one of his quieter games he almost produced a wonder goal with a fierce volley from out if the box. The more the game progressed the more Argentina increased their intensity. And with this added pressure the more Switzerland 'parked the bus' and stifled out any dangerous attack. Though the Argentines looked the dominant Messi looked lonely in regards to being the only player to get the goal. He really needs to rally his team if they are to progress. Switzerland are looking to try and take the game to penalties. 

90 minutes were up and it remained goalless. Extra time next up. 

After the first half of extra time the story of the game continued. Argentina were knocking at the door but unable to get in. Switzerland controlled everything that was being thrown at them. 

The players are exhausted, can they muster enough strength to be able to cope with another 15 minutes? The game looked destined for penalties. But in a quick break Messi found Di Maria the slot home with only 2 minutes remaining. Have they won it? The referee added 3 minutes for added time and the Swiss 'keeper was up joining the attack. A corner was put in and a header hit the post. Unlucky! Argentina hang on. 

An overall poor game, both teams victim of nerves. It's only going to get worse for Argentina.