The Big game is here, yes, it’s the World Cup final! Tournament favorites Germany have had a brilliant tournament so far and their opponents Argentina too have impressed. But how did the teams make it to the final? We take a look…
Germany
Germany started the tournament well as they hammered Portugal 4-0, with Muller getting on the score sheet 3 times. The game against Ghana was a close one with the Africans providing a stern test to Die Mannschaft. Germany picked up 2 wins and a draw in the group stages. In the knockout stages, they struggled against Algeria and only won in extra time while they were really professional against a good France side. The game against Brazil ended up as a one sided affair as the Germans ran away with the game in the opening half hour and in the end won the game 7-1.
Group stages:
Beat Portugal 4-0
Drew with Ghana 2-2
Beat USA 1-0
Round of 16: Beat Algeria 2-1 (ET)
Quarter-final: Beat France 1-0
Semi-final: Beat Brazil 7-1
Argentina
Argentina struggled in the group stages and were heavily dependent on their captain Lionel Messi who scored in all 3 games. In the knockout stages, the story was the same except that others got on the score sheet. Their defense has been rock solid as Javier Mascherano has been the star player, often breaking up play and starting play from a deep role. They had won every game by a single goal margin until the semi-final where they won on penalties against he Dutch.
Group stages:
Beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1
Beat Iran 1-0
Beat Nigeria 3-2
Round of 16: Beat Switzerland 1-0 (ET)
Quarter-final: Beat Belgium 1-0
Semi-final: Beat Netherlands 4-2 on penalties (0-0 AET)
