Same here Pep, emotional/financial conflicts of interest, Dules can you give advice on coping strategies?

It would be great if Messi puts on a show and pulls through this average Argentinian side somehow.

One of Messi or Ozil will win the World Cup which is perfect.

Biggus wrote:

Same here Pep, emotional/financial conflicts of interest, Dules can you give advice on coping strategies?

I just look in the mirror

Argentina hasn't got a hope.

hope the germans win. theyve been the best team by far, and id love to see our boys win the big one

Argentina have been terrible for the whole tournament, really hope they don't win.

Congratulations Germany.

Argentina will lose unless there are individual miracles, I'm backing them though.

Germany will deserve it, pretty much the only major nation to have played proper football in this competition.

All on Messi

Argentina may not have scored a lot but their goals have been brilliant, especially the Di Maria one, reminded me of Rivaldo's goal against England in 02.

Their defence has come together pretty well, Mascherano's in fine form and they have some of the best forwards of this or any era. They can definitely beat Germany, the hard part will be surviving the early onslaught.

Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang.

Think it needs Germany to score an early goal otherwise Argentina will try and make this a borefest. Last game, Messi did not touch the ball, even once, in the 18 yard box over the whole 120 minutes of the match. He also spent most of the match walking and not closing down the opposition players so, unless he is injured, he cannot be tired.

Funny everyone is saying that Argentina defence is shit and because of that won't win the world cup, while in fact that had 4 clean sheets in 6 matches and is their attack which hasn't impressed.

Tbf Argentina have had a relatively straightforward route to the final.

Fifa just released the shortlist for the golden ball nomination (i.e. the player of the tournament award): http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=adidas-golden-ball-candidates-announced-2403393.html

Short version for lazy people:

• Angel di Maria (Argentina)
• Mats Hummels (Germany)
• Toni Kroos (Germany)
• Philipp Lahm (Germany)
• Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
• Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• Thomas Muller (Germany)
• Neymar (Brazil)
• Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
• James Rodriguez (Colombia)

It has to be either Messi or Müller/Kroos. Whoever wins the final will get it. Rodriguez will come 3rd or 4th probably.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/lionel-messi/10963269/World-Cup-final-2014-Lionel-Messi-faces-day-of-destiny-for-Argentina-vs-Germany.html

I believe that Messi after his injury just paces himself. He'll still give you at least one WOW moment or run per game but he's extremely judicious with his efforts. Like Berbatov in his heyday.

The only reason Messi is getting criticised is because everyone have come to expect twice as much from his as any other footballer. He scored around 50 goals last season. Any other player and that would have been THE outstanding season in their career. For Messi it was the worst one he's had in five years. Comparing him to a two-bob player like Berbatov is just not on.