FIFA World Cup: Argentina v. Germany (La Gran FINAL) - July 13, 2014 [R]

Argentina vs Germany
(LA GRAN FINAL!)

Argentina Match 64 Germany
13 July 2014
16:00 UTC−3 (12:00 PM PST / 1:00 PM EST)



Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (78,838 Capacity)


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Head-to-Head Statistics:

- Matches Played: 20
- 9 Argentina wins, 4 Germany wins, 3 draws
- 28 goals for Argentina, 28 goals for Germany

Argentina and Germany have met on six occasions in the past at the FIFA World Cup, including two World Cup Final matches.

Despite Argentina having the lead on head-to-head match-ups, Germany is somewhat of a nemesis for Argentina at the World Cup, with Argentina have only won one of the 6 WC games they disputed (1986 WC Final).

The first time the two faced each other at the maximum stage was at the 1958 World Cup in the first match of Group 1. A strange anecdote from this game regards Argentina's kit, which was used by exception. Having forgotten the away kits at home, Argentina was forced to use local Swedish side IFK Malmö's jerseys:



To the surprise of many, Argentina got off to a quick head start when Omar Oreste Corbatta found the net in just the 2nd minute of play. However, things changed as West Germany found the lead thanks to Helmut Rahn -2- and Uwe Seeler. The match ended 3-1 for the Germans, who would progress from the group (unlike Argentina, who finished 4th) and make it all the way to the semifinals before being eliminated by Sweden.

Argentina 1 - 3 Germany (WC 1958):



Two World Cups later, Argentina and West Germany would share the same group once again in the 1966 England World Cup. Although both teams would have chances to win (including shots on the post), this time the match would end in an even 0-0.

Both Argentina and Germany would advance from Group 2 with 5 points, before being eliminated by eventual champions England (Argentina lost 1-0 in the Quarterfinals, while Germany lost the Final match by 4-2 in extra time after tying 2-2 in 90 minutes).

Argentina 0 - 0 Germany (WC 1966):



The third time Argentina and Germany faced each other is a day no Argentina fan can forget, as it resulted in Argentina lifting the World Cup trophy for the second time.

On June 29, 1986, Argentina and West Germany disputed the final of the '86 Mexico World Cup. In the 23rd minute of the first half, Jose Luis Brown - a centerback - made history by scoring his first ever international goal to give Argentina a partial 1-0 lead. Jorge Valdano, who played for Real Madrid at the time, increased the lead to 2-0 in the 55th minute -- scoring his 4th goal in the tournament.

When everything seemed under control for the albiceleste, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge put West Germany back in contention with a 74th minute goal. Just 6 minutes later, Rudi Völler evened the score to the dismay of all Argentine fans. Fortunately the suffering did not last long, as Jorge Burruchaga would score the historic goal that gave Argentina the trophy in the 83rd minute.

Argentina held on to the 3-2 lead and were crowned champions of the world for the 2nd time in history.



Argentina 3 - 2 Germany (WC 1986):



Four years later, the two once again meet -- in the final... again.

In the 1990 World Cup, Argentina arrived to the finals having eliminated Brazil, Yugoslavia, and hosts Italy in the knockout stages. West Germany got through tough opponents as well, eliminating the Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, and England in the process.

Unfortunately, things didn't go the same way as in '86. Much like that final, this game was also decided in the dying minutes of the match, but this time for Germany... and in a very controversial way.

The match, which seemed destined to go into extra time, was decided in the 85th minute when Rudi Völler made an infamous dive in the penalty box, which Mexican referee Edgardo Codesal fell for:



Andreas Brehme, who later admitted that there was no foul on his teammate, exchanged the penalty shot for a goal and the win, but most importantly the 3rd World Cup title for his nation.

Since these last two encounters, neither Argentina nor Germany have managed to win the World Cup, but have faced each other on two other occasions in the tournament.

In the 2006 World Cup, Argentina took on hosts Germany in the Quarterfinals stage. Argentina arrived being arguably the best team at the World Cup, while Germany had also been a very solid side prior to this match.

Argentina took the lead with a 49th minute header by defender Roberto Ayala. However, after starting goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri suffered an injury and was forced to be replaced by substitute Leo Franco, Germany were able to find the tie in the 80th minute thanks to a header by Miroslav Klose.

The match would go on to extra time, yet things remained the same after the additional 30 minute period, forcing the encounter to be decided by penalties. Germany would score all 4 shots, while Roberto Ayala and Esteban Cambiasso missed theirs for Argentina (Julio Cruz and Maxi Rodriguez scored), giving the Germans a spot in the semifinals and Argentina a disappointing exit from the cup.

Argentina 1 - 1 Germany -- Penalty Shootout (WC 2006):



The following World Cup, Argentina would once face Germany in the Quarterfinals. In the 2010 World Cup, an Argentina lead by tactically clueless Diego Maradona lost humiliatingly to Germany with a final score of 4-0 (3' Mueller, 68' Klose, 74' Friedrich, 89' Klose). Not much more needed to be said about that match..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvdAh4o8oG0

 

(continued from previous post due to media per post restrictions)
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Outside of the World Cup, the two teams have faced each other several times.

The most "prestigious" of these matches was held on June 21, 2005 for the final match of Group A in the 2005 Confederations Cup. Argentina went down twice in the scoreline (Kuranyi 29', Asamoah 51'), but managed to equalize it on both occasions thanks to midfielders Juan Roman Riquelme (33' -- freekick) and Esteban Cambiasso (74' -- long range shot).

Argentina 2 - 2 Germany (Confederations Cup 2005):


In friendly matches, Argentina takes the overall lead with 8 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses.

The most recent encounter took place on August 15, 2012, with Argentina taking home a 3-1 victory with goals by Sami Khedira (own goal; 45'), Lionel Messi (52'), and Angel Di Maria (73'), while Benedickt Howedes minimized the goal difference for the Germans in the 80th minute. Earlier in the match, Messi had missed a penalty.

Full game highlights (Argentina 3 - 1 Germany; 2012):



Sabella fielded a very similar team that day compared to our current one:

Romero;
Zabaleta - F. Fernandez - Garay - Rojo;
J. Sosa - Gago - Mascherano - Di Maria;
Higuain - Messi
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Germany were a bit different (missing Kroos, Lahm, Neuer, and Schweinsteiger), but still fielded many current players such as Klose, Muller, Hummels, Khedira, Ozil, Boateng.

Friendly match results:

Feb. 14, 1973: Argentina 3 - 2 Germany
June 5, 1977: Argentina 1 - 3 Germany
Sept. 12, 1979: Argentina 1 - 2 Germany
Jan. 1, 1981: Argentina 2 - 1 Germany
March 24, 1982: Argentina 1 - 1 Germany
Sept. 12, 1984: Argentina 3 - 1 Germany
Dec. 16, 1987: Argentina 1 - 0 Germany
April 2, 1988: Argentina 0 - 1 Germany
Dec. 15, 1993: Argentina 2 - 1 Germany
April 17, 2002: Argentina 1 - 0 Germany
Feb. 9, 2005: Argentina 2 - 2 Germany
March 3, 2010: Argentina 1 - 0 Germany
Aug. 15, 2012: Argentina 3 - 1 Germany

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Arrival to the Finals

Argentina (1st in Group F) - 5 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw - 8 goals for, 3 against
2-1 W v. Bosnia
1-0 W v. Iran
3-2 W v. Nigeria
1-0 (ET) W v. Switzerland (R16)
1-0 W v. Belgium (QF)
0-0 D v. Netherlands (4-2 PKs) (SF)

Top Scorer: Lionel Messi (4 goals)

Germany(1st in Group G) - 5 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw - 17 goals for, 4 against
4-0 W v. Portugal
2-2 D v. Ghana
1-0 W v. United States
2-1 (ET) W v. Algeria (R16)
1-0 W v. France (QF)
7-1 W v. Brazil (SF)

Top Scorer: Thomas Müller (5 goals)

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Germany Statistics

2014 World Cup Qualification
9 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw -- 36 goals for, 10 against

- Tied with Netherlands for most points in UEFA qualifying
- Top scoring team of UEFA qualifiers



2012 UEFA Euro Cup
4 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws -- 10 goals for, 6 against

- Semifinalist (lost to Italy 2-1)
- Defeated Portugal, Netherlands, Denmark, and Greece


FIFA Ranking (for whatever it's worth): 2nd



General World Cup Stats
Total Number of Participations: 18
Best Performance: Champions (1954, 1974, 1990)

Match Wins: 65
Match Losses: 20
Match Draws: 20

 

Shit! I didn't even notice the two stars on the emblem. Nice catch..