Obviously, Argentina saw what the Germans did to the Brazilians and they put defensive organization as their top priority, but the result was that Lionel Messi wasn’t able to roam free and create chances. Germany made some almost fatal mistakes, but the Argentines blew their chances. Even though the Germans didn’t play their best match of the tournament, they were clearly the best team in the tournament. I think the second best team was actually Holland, but they also played too conservatively in their match against Argentina and then lost on penalty kicks.
I thought, overall, this was the most entertaining World Cup in memory, even though the final wasn’t exactly beautiful. The winning goal in the 113th minute was beautiful, though. Congratulations to Germany. See you in four years.
“…overall, this was the most entertaining World Cup in memory…”
…what with the biting and everything, yes.
Tremendous goal of excellent teamwork and quality. Germany is the best team, and deserved their win.
In the box seats this afternoon: Vladimir Putin from Russia – Angela Merkel from Germany – and Dilma Rousseff from Brazil. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner from Argentina is recovering from illness. Three leaders from top football nations are women!
○ The Maracanã returns to the World Cup spotlight, 64 years after the Maracanazo
Statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado overlooks the Mário Filho (Maracanã) stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
BBC Sport: World Cup Final Germany vs Argentina LIVE!
See today’s comment – VP Biden’s Visit with Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff.
Brazil should have been eliminated by Columbia, the host nation was a weak side. The collapse of Brazil’s defense was not an indication of Germany’s strength as we have seen today. The Dutch defense limited the Argentine team to 2 shots on goal in 120 minutes. The defense of the Argentine team was impenetrable, the best of the World Cup.
Team Oranje performed to the max of its ability, a great team performance and young individual players who put their mark at the highest international level. The Dutch left the World Cup without a single defeat, the two matches tied winning on penalties from Costa Rica and losing from Argentina. For third place, the Dutch had an easy match beating Brazil 3-0.
It is ridiculous to award Messi as the best player of the World Cup!
PS I prefer the Netherlands playing for bronze rather than getting beaten by their biggest rivals Germany (1974). The war you know, German occupation from 1940-45. š Thinking of the Palestinians now in their unbelievable hardship and the United Nations left crippled by politics of the world powers.
Team Oranje had their revenge in 1988 winning the European Championship on German soil, playing the finals in Munich beating the Soviet Union.
Messi seemed like he was barely a factor in today’s match. As for yesterday’s, I was glad to see Netherlands make quick work of Brazil.
He was a factor, but he missed all his chances. I think Robben was the best looking player in the tournament. Not the most handsome, just the most consistently dangerous.
We’re definitely in agreement about Robben. Fantastic work. Messi is a dangerous player. Hopefully he does not beat himself up too badly. We all have our moments of missed opportunities. It does not take away from what he has accomplished so far and what he will accomplish before his career is over.
A winning team always needs a Götze. The type of player who keeps his cool and scores from inside the box. His style and ability reminds me of Das Bomber Gerd Müller and Dutch forward “Goud Haantje” Johnny Rep. All of these style players need an excelling team to create the opportunity. Their strikes are proficient and deadly.
○ Total Football, Oranje and Ajax’s exhilarating game
○ Holland vs Argentina World Cup 1974
Götze reminded me of the goal of James when he chested the ball down, turned, and volleyed for the score. Just a masterful control of the physical person and of the ball.
While I agree that he was the most dangerous, he was also the most frustrating to watch. I’d be surprised if the man is able to stand upright in a stiff breeze.
He pushes the envelope. He takes the ball at 30 yds out, and drives for the goal. He forces the defense to attempt to tackle the ball away, and this does result in him on the floor frequently. It’s not an accident. It’s a deliberate strategy.
Yeah, I know. And the majority of the time he gets taken down, there is legitimate contact. But he flails about so much that if I was a ref, I’d have a hard time taking him seriously.
Playing for Bayern Munchen, Arjen Robben reminds me the Schwalbe is not by chance a German expression: swan dive of Jürgen Klinsmann (1990) and Herr Beckenbauer in person during the match against Italy in 1970. haha
○ Bayern Munich and Robben in pursuit of Champions League triumphs
It’s common in basketball as well. I remember watching a lot of games in which the guy with the ball would aggressively initiate contact by almost jumping into the defender which he would fake into moving their feet, then get the shots and sometimes win the game. If he’s your guy, it’s a strategy. If he’s the other guy, it’s a underhanded and poor-sportsman junk move. But Robben does get away with it.
And to think that the next World Cups are scheduled to be in Russia and Qatar. I might not go to one in person until I’m in my 40s…wonderful.
I’ll be in my 60s. Erk.
Say, will Qatar be the weakest World Cup host nation team ever?
I’m thinking about the Russia games. I have a nephew who is going to school there. I wonder about setting up tours…
The only thing I could think of during today’s match was: Who is Martin Bormann rooting for?
The World Cup’s ‘best keeper’ Neuer was close to be sent off in the match!
Some poor calls from referees in the final two matches. When I watched this offensive foul, I figured he probably won’t get a red card, but at least a yellow and a free kick for Argentina. The Italina refree awarded Neuer a free kick for a foul by the rgentine attacker?! Ridiculous. I personally believed Neuer hadled the ball outside of the penalty box, but I would need to see confirmation from a video shot fron another angle or by ‘goal line’ technology of multiple cameras. The high knee is an ugly foul reminded me of some of the worst during a World Cup match.
○ Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain Injury – Watch
Germany’s Manuel Neuer Foul Argentina Forward (Video+Photos)
How was it a foul at all? I agree it wasn’t an Argentinian foul, but the GK didn’t foul the player either. Both going for the ball.
The goalkeeper is exactly like any other player on the field. Some people believe that the ‘keeper can get away with more brutality” or that a foul against a ‘keeper is more likely to get called or get a more severe punishment” …
The goalkeeper gets protection only when he is inside his “goal box.” A goal area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 5.5 m (6 yds) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5 m (6 yds) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.
Therefore, the knee high clash of the goalkeeper was an ugly foul.
Meh, I think it’s debatable. I wouldn’t have given the foul.
However, I would have given Germany a red for Benedikt Höwedes tackle. His cleats were up, he hit no ball, clipped legs.
Toni Schumacher’s was a clear red, however. I don’t think they’re the same.
Dutch football was a revolution which started by Ajax Amsterdam and three consecutive Champions Trophies in the years 1971 – 1972 – 1973. Their trainer/coach was Rinus Michels, himself a hard-nosed player of Ajax 1, later called “the General.”
World’s best player Johan Cruyff was sold to FC Barcelona at the end of the 1972 season, later followed by Rinus Michels, Johan Neeskens and a continuous stream of young players developed in the Ajax school.
With the arrival of Johan Cruyff and Michels came the European success for Barcelona. Cruyff developed himself as coach with Barcelona and later at Ajax. Coach Van Gaal gained his first success at Ajax with a Champions Trophy in 1995 and transferred to Barcelona where the succes was continued. Via Bayern Munich (Champions League finalist in 2010) where he changed the style of play to the Dutch or ‘Barcelona’ school, he became the manager of the Dutch national team for the qualification games WC 2014. His record is unequaled in 30 matches just two losses.
Jose Mourinho and Louis Van Gaal: The Pupil vs the Master
Van Gaal is on his way as the new manager of Manchester United, world’s best business in the soccer industry. In the English league he will be re-united with his former pupil, now manager at Chelsea: Jose Mourinho. At Bayern Munich, Barcelona’s success trainer/coach Pep Guardiola has taken over and has achieved unparalleled number of trophies with the ‘Barcelona’ style of play. Guardiola developed as player under Johan Cruyff and always shows his great appreciation. Lionel Messi as a youngster developed at Barcelona under Louis van Gaal.
That’s why I consider the 1974 World Cup as the best ever, the attacking style of ‘total football’ replaced the ugly defensive cattennacio of Italy. Truly a revolution for Europe.
A fun page and quite educational, see the part about Schwalbe=Dive and Klinsmann!