FIFA World Cup Final: The day the earth would stand still
The biggest match in Football
This is the day when heroes made of tough resolves and villains with weak hearts are born to amuse people in two contrasting ways . The pressure and the expectations of competing in a high voltage FIFA World Cup Final can take a toll on some of the fragile minded or faint hearted players, and can even bring the best out of some others. The instances are numerous and quite well known, with the recent ‘hero’ being Andres Iniesta and the ‘villain’ being Dutch midfielder Johny Heitinga, who was sent off after committing a atrocious challenge on Spain’s Xabi Alonso in 2010’s FIFA World Cup finale
Today’s FIFA World Cup final is sure to spring in some of these match-winning performances and also some match ending or rather dream shattering performances. Alejandro Sabella’s Argentine side will lock horns with Joachim Loew’s high-flying German side in a game which will bring not only the population of the nations, but the whole world to an abrupt halt. A halt which will stand witness to the greatest finale of the biggest sporting spectacle on Earth, which will be duly contested by the deserved finalists.
A majority of the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janiero though still would be recuperating from that cataclysmic 7-1 sauntering at the hands of Germany , but would stand host to where the entire world’s eyes would be glued to for 2 hours or more if required. The august tournament , apart from being viewed from a profit perspective by politicians, has turned out to be something magical and enchanting in its own way. It consisted of everything its past brothers have had through the years and now it would come down to the final chapter, the chapter which would be etched into the annals of time in bright, golden letters.
Argentina and Germany have history behind them
The Argentines or simply La Albiceleste have laid their hands on the golden so-called ‘Holy Grail’ twice before today, while DFB or the Germans have reached the dreamt about pinnacle thrice in their history. The last time both faced off in a final was way back in 1990, when messiahs such as Jurgen Klinsmann and Diego Maradona ground out a 1-0 result in the favor of the West Germans. La Albiceleste would , quite rightly, be out to kill two birds with a single stone at the Estadio Maracana.
One, by avenging 1990’s humiliation and two, by clenching the golden World Cup trophy just by overcoming their opponents. But ‘just' corresponds to something which is easier said than done against a side as well organized and unsurmountable as Joachim Loew’s. At the back of an unthinkable but amazing result against the deeply anguished and grief-stricken hosts, Germany have got nothing to lose against their South American counterparts. While Argentina, who knocked Louis van Gaal’s Dutch side out in the semi-finals, would fancy their chances against a counter-attack prone German unit.
An intriguing subplot for people who love the World Cups instead of club football would be the exact opposite approaches to the game both sides possess. One adheres to the substantial tiki taka or possession style of football while the other employs with a swift counter attacking style. But what would interest die hard football watchers is how Argentina break and when they break and with the help of whom would they break? With Angel di Maria a huge doubt for the game, Argentina’s hopes to claim the prize have taken a dent. But that’s when belief, desire to win and the commitment to do something for the nation creeps in. Football is known for throwing up unexpected results , whether it comes to Albania beating West Germany in ‘67 or Steaua winning the Champions Cup in ‘86.
Whatever transpires today, one thing is sure to happen. A team will emerge as the World Champions after overcoming the staunch challenges of whoever they came face-to-face with at any stage. I’m trying to act as a neutral today because this won’t just be a match, it would be a war, a war which is ever difficult to predict. Best of luck to both the sides and may the best team win!