Rio de janeiro
Argentina, the underdogs against Germany, were on Sunday midnight (IST) looking for their first World Cup win in 28 years as the FPJ edition went to bed.
Having beaten Brazil 7-1 during the week in one of the most shocking results in the history of the game, German fans were partying even before the kick off, even though the Argentinians are seen to be no pushovers. In fact, one German newspaper described them as a ‘pack of wolves’.
Argentina fans have been arriving in Rio de Janeiro by plane, camper van and car: they all inspired by one man – Lionel Messi – just as once Maradona carried a nation here.
‘‘As in politics, in Argentina we are always looking for one man to save us. If Argentina win, the people will crown him with laurels; if not they will give him a crown of thorns,’’ wrote a sport columnist after the 1986 World Cup win when they beat Germany 3-2. In 1990 the two sides met again in Rome: this time Germany won 1-0.
Germany are looking at their fourth title and Argentina their 3rd. This is the 21st international encounter between the two sides and Argentina has had an upper hand thus far. But this time Germany has been on a rampage. Let us see who messes with whom, said the German envoy to India – ‘‘Will Muller mess with Agentina or Messi mess up with us?’’
Messi has had a season disrupted by a hamstring injury at Barcelona. He does not seem to have the energy levels he displayed a few years ago, though. In Brazil, he has been a different player, performing deeper, rather than as the farthest forward striker, and has influenced midfield. But it is still Messi who elevates this Argentina team from being merely a good one to potential World Cup winners, especially in the likely absence of Angel Di Maria and the limited fitness of Sergio Aguero.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s World Cup journey has come to a miserable end as the team was beaten 3-0 by the Netherlands in the third place play-off. As an added insult, Brazil must now watch on as their fiercest rivals Argentina take on Germany for the chance to win the World Cup at Brazilian football’s spiritual home, the Maracana, on Sunday.
