World Cup 2014: Germany beats Argentina to win the World Cup, creates history

64 matches, 32 Countries, 1 World Cup trophy.

The 2014 World Cup has finally concluded, with a stroke of brilliance by Mario Gotze that earned Germany their 4th World Cup Title.

120 mins Match Review

The Germans were playing at their usual style of short passes and had several chances in the box, but no shots managed to trouble Romero. Joachim Low made a substitution which was a rewarding move as Gotze scored the winner.

Argentina produced a few brilliant long balls that put their forwards in one-on-one situations, but both Higuain and Palacio were unable to convert.

Both sides fronted a solid defence in which Messi and Mueller had both chances. Messi is always guarded by at least 3 men, a heuristic which Germany strongly adhered to keep Messi at bay.

As the game proceeded further into extra time, tensions rose as the match saw blood after a nasty 'accidental' fist from Aguero landed on Schwensteinger. Time stopped in the 122nd minute when Messi stepped up to take the free kick. If he scored, he would probably havebeen the 

Best performers

Neuer for Germany, for his visionary judgment portrayed in running out of the goal for some magnificent saves.

Mascherano for Argentina, for his threatening long balls while contributing substantially to defence.

History was made.

• This is Germany's 4th World Cup title and a good 24 years has passed since their last title.
  
• Germany becomes the first European team to win the World Cup in South America.
  
• Mario Gotze's name will go in history for being the first substitute to score the only goal in a world cup final.
  
• 36-year old Miroslav Klose not only broke the all time goal scoring record for one single player at the World Cup, and is also the first man to appear in 4 World Cup finals.

See you in the next World Cup 2018 Russia
EUFASS 


World Cup Trivia is a series designed for the current World Cup 2014 to give fans more than one ways to savour the game. 

World Cup 2014: Argentina Vs Germany Statistic analysis and Prediction

Argentina

The clash of the titans will happen in less than 5 hours. No matter the result, new history would be made. For Germany, this is their 8th time playing in the finals, making them the team with the most number of final games played. Argentina on the other hand, will need to win this after a 18 year drought of the World Cup. Especially for Messi, there is no meaning in being compared to Maradona, without a World Cup in his tally.


Statistics analysis of Argentina vs Germany

All time record
Played: 21
Argentina won: 9
Germany won: 6
Draws: 5
Both scored 28 goals against each other, signifying Argentina's low-margin-of-victory style of play.

This World Cup

	Argentina	Germany
World Cups won	2	3
Goals scored	7	17 (No thanks to thrashing Brazil 7-1 in the semifinals)
Attempts per match	15.8	14.7
Shots on target	60%	70%
Passes completed	2928	3421
Passes completion %	80%	80%

Prediction: Argentina.

Germany is the favourite, but Argentina will not let their guard down. They are a menace in attack and solid in defence. Germany might have won Brazil 7-1, but they have to recognize this is the match that matters. I felt that the players already thought they won the World Cup with all the unnecessary comments they are giving the press. Underestimating Argentina will be a grave mistake. Looking forward to a wonderful match tonight!

Who do you think will win?
EUFASS

World Cup Trivia is a series designed for the current World Cup 2014 to give fans more than one ways to savour the game. 

World Cup Trivia: Semifinals key stats and stadiums

This World Cup Semifinals we see 2 from South America and 2 from Europe. It will no doubt be a South America vs Europe showdown as we have Brazil vs Germany in the first set and Argentina vs Netherlands in the second. 

Some Trivia

From the first World Cup in 1990, It has always been the South Americans taking the World Cup Trophy when it is hosted in the Americana. By this logic, the odds are low for Germany and Netherlands.

There were 4 times in World Cup history that only one continent was left in the Semifinals, and they were all teams from Europe. 

1934: Italy, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Germany. 

1966: West Germany, Soviet Union (Former Russia), England and Portugal. 

1982: Italy, West Germany, Poland and France

2006: Italy, France, Germany and Portugal 

The Big matches ahead:

08 Jul 2014 - 17:00 Local time

Brazil and Germany will play at Estadio Mineirao(stadium name), Belo Horizonte(city) 

• Estadio Mineirao (Stadium Mineirao) was coined by the governor of Minai Gerais and Mineiraos means someone born in Minai Gerais
• Constructed in 1965
• Overall capacity of 58170

In the previous clashes, Brazil managed 12 wins 5 draw 4 losses against Germany

Brazil scored 63 goals vs Germany's 39 goals

More key stats and prediction of Brazil vs Germany here

09 Jul 2014 - 17:00 Local time

Argentina and Netherlands will play at Arena Corinthians(stadium name), Sao Paulo(city).

• Arena Corinthians, also known as Arena de Sao Paulo, is the stadium for Sao Paulo's home club, Corinthians.
• Constructed in 2014
• Overall capacity 62601

Suprisingly, Netherlands has the better record of 4 wins 3 draw 1 loss against Argentina.
Netherlands scored 13 goals vs Argentina's 6 goals

More key stats and prediction of Argentina vs Netherlands here

Statistics never lie. But the truth is: STATS DON'T MATTER. Cheers to an exciting World Cup, enjoy while it lasts!

EUFASS

World Cup 2014: Argentina vs Netherlands Semifinals Prediction

3 out of 4 teams predicted overall!

100% accuracy prediction recorded for both of yesterday’s quarterfinal matches! 

Argentina Vs Belgium review

An early goal from Higuain sealed the match for Argentina, bringing the La Albiceleste into the semifinals for the first time since 1990. The mere one-goal margin does not do justice to the sublime play by the Argentines. The following scenes were still etched in my mind, Di Maria’s skilful ball juggle, Messi’s defence-splitting through passes as well as Higuain’s electrifying run that finished with a shot that shaved off the crossbar.

Oh and of course, the most hilarious scene award goes to coach Alejandro Sabella's fall to the ground after witnessing Higuain’s close shot.

Another 1-0 score like France vs Germany, but...

Same scoreline as France vs Germany, yet the Argentines delivered a more beautiful play of football. They held the possession well with threatening passes and held the Belgians at bay with the likes of Messi at the front. Placing any number less than 3 defenders against Messi will be suicidal.

Holland Vs Costa Rica review

I have secretly hoped for Costa Rica to win. Not even the ultra strike force trio of Van Persie, Sneijder and Robben manage to find the back of the net throughout the 120mins of play, which speaks volume of the strength of Costa Rica’s defence. Despite the loss, I believe the Los Ticos will return as heroes, after all they are the first Central American country that made it so far.

My only grievance for Netherlands was the waste of their plentiful attacking chances. Netherlands would definitely need to better their goal conversion to beat Argentina.

Argentina Vs Holland Statistic analysis and Prediction

For the next match, Argentina will unfortunately be missing Di Maria, who is another fearsome figure in the midfield that causes panic among his opponents with his lightning pace and superb ball-handling. (Yes, they still have Messi though)

Netherlands on the other hand, looks set to take their first world cup, but not before defeating Argentina. Argentina has never lost in the semifinals before. The difference for the Oranje, is the presence of a visionary coach, Van Der Gaal, whose move to substitute the first team keeper at the final minute proved effective.  

Statistics analysis of Argentina vs Netherlands

	Argentina	Netherlands
World Cups won	2	0
Goals scored	7	12
Attempts per match	17.4	15
Shots on target	60%	70%
Passes completed	2438	2031
Passes completion %	80%	80%
Key man to watch	Still Messi.	Best Attacking team: Inside the box: Van Persie Outside the box: Sneijder Running all around creating terror: Robben

Prediction: Argentina.

Both teams are strong, but Netherlands has to go. Historically the host continent will take the World Cup. What is more exciting than a Brazil vs Argentina final  for 2014 World Cup? Probably if Brazil still had Neymar, it would have been the perfect match of the tournament.

Who will qualify for the finals?
EUFASS


World Cup Trivia is a series designed for the current World Cup 2014 to give fans more than one ways to savour the game. 

World Cup Trivia: Argentina to win the World Cup?

Argentina beat Nigeria 3-2, thanks to a double strike from Messi in one of the most exciting matches in the World Cup so far.

The Nigerians put up two counts of splendid comebacks by matching both Messi’s goals within 3 minutes. 

However, they failed to repeat the feat thrice, and a header from Marcus Roja in the 50^th minute sealed the victory.

That said, the Nigerians also advanced into the last 16, a result they well deserved.

Magic Messi

Messi opened the scoring at the 3^rd minute scored and another spectacular free kick seconds before the second half.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said, "Messi is from Jupiter, he is different." Jupiter or not, the addition of two goals into the tally propels Messi up to the top of the goalscoring chart at 4 goals, together with fellow Barcelona clubmate, Neymar.

With his current form, he looks set to bring Argentina into the World Cup.

(Just an interesting observation: Hands up if you noticed Messi’s simple celebration move of running around with arms wide open)

The Differentiating factor: Track Record

I previously also discussed whether Netherlands can win the world cup. If there anything that differentiates the power of Messi vs the twin strike force of Robben and Van Persie, it’s the track record.

The trends points to a very possible victory for the Albiceleste. Argentina has won the World cup 2 times, once in 1978 when they were hosts and the second time in 1986 in Mexico. It would not be a surprise for Messi to “do a Maradona” and lift the World Cup this time round in Brazil. Go Messi, prove the critics wrong.

Another interesting trivia tidbit is that out of the 15 previous appearances, Argentina has never lost in the Semi Finals. Thus if they make it that far, we can safely assume they will sail smooth into the finals. At least, I would say the odds will be higher than Suarez biting again in this world cup…

EUFASS

World Cup Trivia is a series designed for the current World Cup 2014 to give fans more than one ways to savour the game.