Again, superb point.

It wont necessarily be won by the team that scores first either, that is to say, if any team scores, for it may be a goalless draw which if I'm remeber rightly was the case in that final in San Francisco when Roberto lobbed that kick from 12 yards just above the crossbar.

I remember a women's game, where they took penalties, I wished them the best of luck in their future endeavours!!!

And gave them 50 quid each if they scored!

What about if those goals are own goals?

Stuff that dreams are made of.

I'm liking the fact that even at this late stage of the tournament, we have a few interesting possibilities for the final;

- Brazil v Argentina: Regardless of the teams' performances thus far (and even in the final), this would be a blockbuster. The atmosphere would be electric.

- Germany v Netherlands: Another huge rivalry with little to separate them. For those unaware, Germany consider The Dutch the 'old enemy' not England (!).

- Germany v Argentina: Replay of the 1986 and 1990 finals with the score 1-1. The last meeting in the final was infamous for Klinsmann's OTT dive and a late contentious and decisive German penalty.

- Brazil v Netherlands: Errrr can't think of any relevant history, other than a '98 SF victory for Brazil on penalties.

Relevant history only needs to go as far back as 2010, where the Dutch knocked Brazil out, and in 1974 Cruyff and Neeskens led them to victory by 2-0.

Germany v Argentina - also infamous for two Argentinians sent off in the final! Did they play in 1990 as Germany or West Germany? Wikipedia says West Germany (possibly as they would've qualified as West Germany?) - but I thought they'd play as a unified Germany in 1990?

West Germany. But as Germany in Euro '92 and onwards.

Cheers - so Germany haven't won the world cup then...

Italia 90 was a few months before Germany unified, they celebrate it in October.

Imagine Argentina winning the World Cup in Brazil....I'd love it. Just to hammer the nail in even deeper into Brazil's heart.

This German team has the measure of the Argies..this could be another embarassment

I don't think so, Argentina's defence so far has been very impressive. Seeing as they've played more matches than anyone else bar Germany, and got to the furthest stage, it could be said that they have the best defensive record in this World Cup.

Germany is a good team. Argentina is a good team. These two teams are probably the two teams who deserve to be in the final and are probably the best two teams.

But haven't come up against a team anywhere near as good as Germany. We'll find out on Sunday just how good this defence is.

You could say the same thing about Germany. That they haven't come up against a team anywhere near as good as Argentina.
Which can be a subjective point of view anyway.

Germany's last two matches were France and Brazil.
Argentina's last two matches were Belgium and Holland.
So I'd say it was pretty even stevens.

Hugely impressed by the way Argentina dealt with Holland. My prediction for the final: if Di Maria is back in the side for Argentina I think they will win in normal or extra time. If he does not play, I think Germany will win in extra time.

BIB - absolutely, but I was equally impressed with the way Holland dealt with Argentina. Vlaar and Mascherano were the two best players on the pitch that night.

Holland and Belgium were stronger opposition than France who played a World Cup quarter final as if it was a friendly and the ridiculous Brazil outfit. Germany weren't at all impressive against decent defences and I expect a very difficult game for them against Argentina.

The only (great) advantage the Germans have over Argentina is that they had a day's extra rest and a much easier route to the final.

I think Argentina, not least Messi, are significantly easier to contain in the absence of Di Maria, but despite favouring Holland, I felt Argentina dominated the semi-final and dictated the play while being unable, thanks to fine Dutch play, to deliver the telling blow. I had a concern after the match about possible injuries sustained by two Argentinians in particular, Mascherano and Zabaleta; wondering if the former might suffer from delayed concussion and the latter serious damage to his jaw.

I agree with you. Argentina looked stronger, even though the Dutch were defending brilliantly. It was a great tactical game by both coaches. I blame Sneijder mainfly for the Dutch defeat. Robben was completely disabled by the formidable Argentine defence/midfield, but Sneijder had the worst game of his career in my view. It was up to him to step up in the "absence" of Robben, but he was painfully bad.

It will be absolutely disastrous for Argentina if Mascherano is injured. He may be the man of the tournament for me so far.

Never mind Germany v Argentina...it's North Korea v Portugal in the final...

http://www.thesportbible.com/article...-the-world-cup

That has made my day. The funny thing is, it is true. What a world we live in.

Except it isn't true (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...l-9602611.html).

Funny how people have been chuckling away to themselves at how gullible North Koreans are when they've been taken in themselves by an obvious hoax.

Whoever wins i trust they will have a public hair style named after them

And it's not even hard to see it's a spoof video either.