The Final | Germany v Argentina | Monday 7am

Get down to 4 kings for it.

Argentina to win

Being a one off anything can happen, but on the form displayed by both sides it would be hard to go past Germany.

I hope they win it.

Like four years ago: Germany 4 Argentina 0

Germany 2-0 Argentina. Probably a cagey match where Germany as the better team have the edge and find a way through. Still, can't count out Argentina yet, especially with Messi.

0 - 0 then the Argies win on penalties.

Messi wasn't at his best today. I dont think they are a one man team but they certainly play better when he shows an interest.

the scoreline says otherwise.

Germany 3-1

In 2010 I was sad to see the Germans fall at the semis.

This year I'm slightly hoping that Argie loses less than Jerry.

#dontmentionthewars

I'm going for a 1-1 draw at 90 mins and extra time.

I hope one of the teams actually attacks so there is a chance of a goal. Not like today.

If the story of the tortoise and the hare has taught us anything, it's that slow and steady wins the race, so Argentina should do this. However in real life it's hard to go past Germany, especially considering they had an extra day off, played half an hour less, and just generally had a much easier semifinal. On the other hand, having such a cruisey semifinal might actually make them vulnerable early on if they haven't got back into a knockout football mindset. On balance though, Germany are obvious favourites.

The possible wild card is Lionel though. Although the media/public circlejerk around him has been excessive, he's still shown glimpses of his ability to change games in an instant, although now as playmaker more than a goalscorer. Other teams are blatantly scared of giving him any space too, so they often double- or even triple-mark him, which stifles their own ability to counterattack when they get the ball back.

There's also just that nagging feeling that Messi winning a World Cup in Brazil is just kind of meant to be. ...

Will be a very interesting final.

Anything but this.

Best world cup finals ever? Watched since 94 and not really a really good one so far for me.

7am.

Romania 3 Argentina 2 - classic '94 match - and I was there! Bulgaria were good too. And Ireland.

Messi will do nothing, same as Ronaldo had no chance against the germans. The question is how they will crack the Argentina defense.

"Messi is no Maradona! Maradona would have had this game wrapped up by now."

--Andrew Durante

It's an interesting comment. I would say Germans behaved like real gentlemen and took their foot off the collective Brazilian throat after a while. You could see that in the way they stopped scoring after the flurry between 15 and 30 minutes of the first half.  

They knew that they had the game in the bank by then. That they ended up banging in a few more goals later happened to them more or less by accident I think. They probably did not mean it, as it killed off the sporting spectacle.

Interesting to note that none of the Argentinian starting XI in the Semi-Final play in the Budesliga.  They are spread amongst five European countries namely Spain (2), France (2), England (2), Italy (2), Portugal (3)....Hoping for a repeat of 86 Final , best WC Final in my opinion (IMO)...

Interestingly this is currently the longest spell between WC titles for Germany, 24 years - the same gap between Brazil's third and fourth. Hopefully they play well and are able to win. ?

Now that I've hedged against my Argentina sweepstakes draw, I'm financially indifferent as to who wins the final. Got to back Germany due to Arsenal connection, although it would be hilarious to see Argentina lift the trophy in Brazil.

Watched them from 1974 onwards. Argentina in 1978 was pretty good. It was the display of the long range goal. Arie Haan being particulalry brilliant at them.

Germany; overall greater height and good accuracy at set piece should do it, even if they don't break them in open play.

Blitzkreig followed by bunkered down stalemate then a firing squad to finish.

Argentina to win comfortably. 

"Comfortably" for whom, may I ask?

If Germany score early like they did against France they will shut up shop.....could be a boring final. Best if Argies score first and then the Germans have to come after them. That will leave space for Messi and make for a better game. Real shame Aguero is not 100% fit and Di Maria is injured.

German 1-0. Set piece goal first half.....90 minutes of yawn!!!!

Can't seem to muster any love for Germany.....something to do with their grinding,  relentless play.....efficient but passionless. Still if they win they won't GAF

Digital World Cup Simulator has the Argies winning 1-0 from a Messi free kick after an hour.

Five minutes of speculative digital highlights here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cu...

I find it hard to call. Germans look pretty solid all over the park. Argies possibly a little more creative though through Messi and Di Maria.

To me, Messi hasn't been able to shine yet in the knock-out phase due to tight marking - can't see that changing against Germany.

Messi, unless he turns on a blinder in the Final, can't at all be compared to the true greats who have set tournaments alight like Pele, Maradona, Cruyff or Eusebio based on his performances so far. Just hasn't done anything really outstanding in a game yet - only some important contributions here and there and keeping opposition players tied up marking him. 

In other words, shite.

So you aren't a purist, just an Argentine fan. Or someone incredibly bitter towards the Germans.

Among the German teams throughout the WC finals, I actually quite enjoy watching this team more than others. I would not call it passionless when I look at Thomas Mueller desperately trying not to get tangled in his own legs while running in a general direction of the opponent's goal, or Miroslav Klose struggling with the notion that one can score with a foot and not always just the head. And the occasional flashes of brilliance from Mesut Ozil, who reminds me more of a Latin player with his start/stop style than a traditional German 'energizer-bunny' style player.

Either gonna be a 0-0 bore fest or 3-3 and penalties.