World Cup Final 2014: Germany V Argentina

Guest writer Beano Niblock with his thoughts on Sunday's World Cup final.

Alas, we come to the final tie of what at times has been an exciting — at times humdrum — and at times surprising tournament. In many ways it has been a little rollercoaster of a ride and has thrown up a few surprises—some pleasant, some hard to believe. Think Costa Rica, think Brazil. Overall, this particular foray will not be remembered as the most skilful or exciting of all time but neither will it be condemned to the dustbin of series.

Retrospectively it is simple to make assertions and to claim we knew the failings of some or the attributes of others. The day after the second semi final I can tell you now that apart from the early demolition of Spain, Holland were quite nondescript and didn’t exactly blaze a trail to the penultimate hurdle. Brazil was shown up to be the carthorses they really were who bear no resemblance to the beautiful game we have come to associate them with. But once more I didn’t venture that statement three weeks ago. England were ... well ... England. Belgium did what we all thought they would, but lack that certain something. The biggest shock to me though wasn’t the capitulation of the host nation but the disintegration of the former Galactico’s - Spain. I don’t believe anyone thought they would crumble in the manner they did and it was truly painful to witness their worldwide public humiliation.

In the end we have what amounts to re-run of 1986 and 1990 — two contrastingly different finals and remembered for different reasons.

In the first of these tournaments Argentina were expected to perform well, as were Brazil and to a lesser extent Italy, the holders. The climate and high temperatures in Mexico would hold no problems for the South American giants. If the Argentines didn’t have perhaps the host of household names throughout the side, they did have the prodigious talents of Maradona. At this time the Barriete Cosmico truly was at the height of his powers. He was the inspiration behind what really was an unremarkable Argentina. Certainly, overall they didn’t have the flair of their 1978 colleagues. They were built on the foundation stone of discipline, hard work and strong arm tactics — typified by their central defender Ruggiero. The plan after that was to get the ball to Diego as often and as quickly as possible, and results were sure to follow. And they did. A fairly straight forward passage through their group, including a 1-1 draw with Italy in what amounted to a tactical stand off. They progressed to the quarter finals and a meeting with England who were punching well above their weight, inspired by the goal scoring exploits of Gary Lineker.

This game will be forever remembered for producing the Hand of God goal and also arguably the greatest goal ever scored, naturally by Maradona. The game finished 2-1 to Argentina and set up a semi final clash with Belgium whom they defeated comfortably 2-0. Many Argentineans seen the victory as some sort of revenge for the Malvina’s and more than one commentator declared that a win over England was even more important than winning the World Cup itself.

Germany’s path to the final was a little more laboured. The lost a group game to Denmark but qualified in second place. In the last 16 they again struggled to overcome Morocco winning by a late goal and in the quarter finals another drab affair against Mexico saw them go through courtesy of penalties. Their semi final opponents were France and it was in this tie they regained their common form and despatched their European neighbours by a 2-0 score line.

The final, played in front of over 100,000 spectators was much anticipated. Argentina were managed by the astute Carlos Bilardo who strangely was a qualified gynaecologist. He had studied tactics from his playing days and favoured an approach where he supplemented a couple of older players by a great influx of youth.

Germany’s man at the helm was the imperious Franz Beckenbaur who had played in 2 previous World Cup finals, winning one and losing the other. His attention to detail was legendary. Of the Argentina starting line up only Maradona, Ruggiero and Valdano could be considered names that most would recall. The Germans had within their ranks Schumacher—he of martial arts fame—Briegel—Matthaus—Rummenigge and Rudi Voller.

Argentina were the brighter of the two sides and enjoyed lots of early possession. Germany deployed a tactic whereby they would do their best to shackle Maradona. To a certain extent the plan worked as he was starved of the ball. But the tactic backfired in that it allowed lesser names to flourish. Argentina took a two goal lead — Brown and Valdano and looked comfortable until late in the game. As they tired Germany came into the game much more and goals from Rumenigge and substitute Voller tied the game, briefly, at 2-2. For once Maradona escaped the German shackles and gave a delightful pass to Burachagga to score the eventual winner.

Four years on and Italia 90. Speculation was that the European nations were best placed to do well in the competition and expectations were high for the hosts, England, Germany of course and Holland who were recently crowned European champions and had wonderful players in Van Basten, Rjikaard, Gullitt and Koeman.

Scotland and Ireland were also in the competition increasing the interest from the outset. Ireland were placed in a group with England, a group that seen only one victory - England defeating Egypt 1-0. Indeed Ireland only managed 2 goals in five games throughout the tournament — all draws before eventually losing to Italy in the quarter finals.

Schillacci was the name on everybody’s lips in 1990 and he stormed the competition to win the Golden Boot. Argentina suffered the ignominy of losing the opening match to Cameroon — who would be the surprise package of this year’s event, with the irrepressible Roger Milla leading the line. But they recovered to qualify for the next stage. However there was none of the swagger—of the braggadocio we come to associate with the South Americans. Again there was a huge reliance on the little maestro, Maradona, who by this stage was thirty years old, and feeling the effects of many kicks and rough tackles during an international career that stretched back to 1977 when he was only 16 years old. It was around this time that revelations about his private life were also in the public domain. Somehow Argentina stumbled through to the semi final stage although it was far from pretty to watch winning two penalty shoot outs along the way. Italy, the host nation would be their opponents at the penultimate hurdle.

Germany’s trip through the group proved predictable and they had comfortable 5-1 and 4-1 wins on route. In the last sixteen they disposed of Holland before triumphing over Czech Republic in the quarter finals. This set up a mouth watering semi final against old adversaries England, who by this stage were dreaming of winning the competition. As always Germany had a consistency about them that not many other countries could match. Allied to this they had relative newcomers to their ranks in Klinsmann and Littbatski, who would be welcome attributes. The game was a hard fought and tense affair, probably most remembered for Gazza’s tears after a booking that would have ruled him out of the final. Alas, Germany conquered England after a shoot out from 12 yards. The other semi final was a similar affair. Argentina stifled the Italians and they too progressed via a shoot out.

Bilardo’s preparations before the final were seriously hampered by four suspensions. This more or less set out Argentina’s game plan before a ball was kicked. The South Americans smothered the Germans from the start, in a game that will only live in the memory for the wrong reasons. By half time Argentina were reduced to ten men after a defender was dismissed. The dull, negative fare continued throughout the second period. Argentina were further reduced when Dezotti was sent off and the game looked destined for extra time before a dubious award gave Germany a late penalty. Brehme converted the kick and Germany had avenged their defeat from Mexico City. In truth they were deserving winners whilst Argentina were a meagre shadow of teams such as the cavalier 1978 side.

Sunday Night we, as football fans, live in expectation that something sensational — if not then something worthy — can be served up. A tournament that started promisingly has petered out and in years to come many of the talking points will be of a negative nature, rotational fouling, Suarez, the capitulation of a once great footballing nation. Rodrigues, Costa Rica and the German annihilation of the counterfeit Brazilians may well be the high points. Here’s hoping ... and to use a local metaphor: that the 13th of July gives us a battle royal from the two pretenders to the throne ... and not a Sham Fight.