2014 World Cup Final - Germany 1 Argentina 0

Well, in the end I think that Germany were deserving winners of the 2014 World Cup. They were comfortably the most impressive and consistent team in the tournament, and it was quite apt that one of their substitutes scored the winning goal, thus emphasising the strength in depth of their squad. This excellent generation of German players finally fulfilled its destiny on the global stage.

 

Credit has to go to Argentina for making a genuine game of the final. Their shrewd counter-attacking game plan could not quite carry them over the finishing line, and they had several very good chances to score.

 

Those anticipating a tight contest were to be slightly disappointed, as it was reasonably open, for a final, throughout, although tiredness naturally set in during extra-time. I felt that at times Germany played more fluently than they had during the entire tournament, although they were possibly made to look more impressive by the nature of the Argentine tactics. The pre-match loss of Sami Khedira had the potential to be very significant, but if any team was equipped to cope with this setback it was Joachim Loew's.

 

Early possession was dominated by Germany, but Argentina were far from overwhelmed, and threatened down their own right hand side. The match had a pleasing tempo to it at that stage. The glaring miss by Higuain, after being released by a misplaced German header, will rightly be seen as pivotal. It was almost as if he could not believe his luck. However, at the end of the first period, Argentina would have been quite happy, having kept a clean sheet. They were still very much in the game.

 

As ever, Thomas Mueller was a constant thorn in Argentina's side, posing a real threat down the right flank, and wherever else he popped up. I thought that the "early" arrival of Andre Schurrle might have been a blessing in disguise. Manuel Neuer was as commanding and decisive as always between the posts.

 

At the start of the second half, Argentina had one of their best spells of the match, with Lionel Messi missing another opportunity around the 47 minute mark. Germany's fluidity had diminished, and their play was not as confident and crisp as it had been. 50/50 challenges were going in favour of their opponents. Argentina were proving disciplined and resilient, and one has to praise Alejandro Sabella for the way he prepared and set up his team.

 

In the final analysis, though, Argentina failed to convert any of their chances, with Rodrigo Palacio failing to take another one later in the second half. Extra time proved a physical ordeal for weary players. It was often technically "end to end" stuff, but the flow and elan were much reduced.

 

When it came, Mario Goetze's goal was a marvel of technique and composure, and was worthy of winning any match.

 

This triumph can only strengthen German football. We can expect that attendances and general interest will increase, and that the careful programmes of development will continue to flourish. It is up to other nations to rise to the challenge.

 

 

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Netherlands v Argentina - 2014 World Cup semi-final

Well, the second World Cup semi-final manifestly lacked the drama of the first, although I would contend that it constituted a more meaningful and genuine contest than Tuesday evening's surreal exhibition.

Although the opening minutes of the match saw a period of fluent and confident Dutch passing and possession, I thought that by and large Argentina had more penetration and energy for the bulk of the semi-final. They seemed much more capable of getting in behind the Dutch defence than Louis Van Gaal's men did with their backline. The tactic of targeting the Dutch left flank was particularly profitable, although ultimately it did not bear fruit in the form of a goal.

After the interval, it seemed that the Netherlands coach had remedied the problem by taking off Bruno Martins Indi. However, the overall pattern and tempo of play barely altered until the penalty shoot-out. Both teams were quite pedestrian, with only the very occasional moment of inspiration and/or incisiveness to relieve the general monotony and inertia.

I found the tense and tactical nature of the match quite interesting and absorbing, although I can appreciate how the billions of neutrals around the globe would have found it less than enthralling!  The Netherlands team defended capably, but their colleagues further forward seemed bereft of real ideas and panache. Were the rigours of the quarter-final against Costa Rica still afflicting Dutch limbs?  That said, the late chance spurned by Arjen Robben will haunt them.  He seemed to half-stumble, half-hesitate, and general weariness may have played its part.

Since the commencement of the 2014 World Cup, the "experts" have been bemoaning the apparent demise of the defensive arts in football. Well, last night they finally got some proper defending, from both teams, although the exponents were not over-taxed by the creative players on either side. Robin van Persie seemed listless and only half-interested, and it was little surprise when he was substituted, so ineffectual was he.

The Dutch again had a good spell in extra-time, but rarely did they look like achieving a breakthrough. Dirk Kuyt as ever was willing, honest and conscientious, and was one of the best players on the night. The Dutch again faded, and it was Argentina who had a couple of late chances to avert a penalty shoot-out, through Palacio and Maxi Rodriguez.

Argentina were emphatic and confident in the penalty competition, and we may eventually find out more about what went wrong with the Dutch in this regard.

On balance, I am glad that Argentina got through, both because of "the Messi factor", and because they were the better team overall during the match itself. Germany, though, must start favourites for Sunday's final. They are stronger on paper, and will be fresher. 

2014 World Cup - semi-finals preview

Some have declared that this World Cup has gone into decline since we reached the quarter-final stage, citing the dip in the "entertainment" factor.  This of course assumes that one became caught up in the hype about this being a "great" World Cup in the first place, and whether one falls into the trap of automatically equating "entertainment" with "quality".

 

First of all, teams cannot afford to take as many risks, and make mistakes, because one error could mean instant elimination.  What do the football "hipsters" expect coaches to do, leave gaps everywhere and allow the opposition's creative players the freedom of the park?  Secondly, the quality of defending, so derided by the pundits earlier in the tournament, as become greater and more consistently solid. Hence the relative lack of space, and goals, in the recent games.

 

I find it a bit puzzling why most people are citing Brazil v Argentina as the "dream final". Yes, it would be a dream to see the hosts pitted against Lionel Messi and co. in a feverish atmosphere. However, Germany and the Netherlands has equal allure and potency, and would arguably be a more interesting footballing spectacle overall. As it happens, in recent days, my mind has been wandering gradually towards the likelihood of a final between those two European nations.

 

Germany, to me, still look overall the best team in the tournament, with more options in creative areas, greater cohesion as a unit, and more energy and vigour in reserve. The fact that they will be facing a weakened Brazil in the semi-final only strengthens their prospects, although the circumstances surrounding the Brazilian team, particularly the Neymar injury and the Thiago Silva suspension, can not be under-estimated in their potential to produce inspiration from the hosts.

 

People are saying that the absence of their most talented individual will in some ways benefit Brazil, because it will force them to play more as a unit, and to vary their approach. This theory, of course, involves a pretty big assumption - that is, that the remaining Brazil players are up to the task of making such a revised approach work, and delivering a victory against Joachim Loew's side. Several individuals will very much need to "step up to the plate".

 

The emasculation of Brazil's attacking options must surely make it easier for Germany to concentrate on playing their own game, and fully utilising their manifold strengths in midfield and forwards. If they so desire, they could well dictate the tempo of the match. If Loew gets the balance and tactics right, then I can see Germany progressing to the final.

It seems that the outcome of the Netherlands v Argentina semi-final will rest primarily on what more outlandish tricks Louis van Gaal has up his sleeve!  In all seriousness, I see this tie as more evenly balanced than the other one, and therefore more difficult to call. Argentina have Lionel Messi, of course, but may be deprived of Angel Di Maria for the semi-final. He is their second most talented player, and after that the options begin to look a little barren in truth.

The Dutch have stagnated a little since their dazzling displays in the group stages, but Arjen Robben still seemed buzzing with energy and positivity against Costa Rica. Although Robin van Persie looked a little out of sorts, I can't see the starting line-up at least being affected by the coach's imaginative "horses for courses" initiatives. Further back, plans may be hatched in an attempt to negate the influence of a certain Barcelona player.

Notwithstanding the fact that it is my preferred final line-up, on balance I can see the last two standing after Wednesday evening being Germany and Netherlands.

2014 World Cup - Down To The Last Eight

It might be argued that some of the freewheeling spirit on display during the group stages disappeared in the "round of sixteen" matches, but the matches have been dramatic and compelling.

 

The match last night between Belgium and the USA was a marvellous spectacle. I thought that the Belgians subtly moved up a gear, their play was more cohesive, direct and threatening than it had been in previous matches, and the players in midfield and attack looked as though they had begun to believe in themselves, although they were frustrated for long periods by a combination of their own finishing and Tim Howard's goalkeeping heroics. Belgium have the talent and the options to go very close to winning the whole thing, but they need to improve a little more to realise their full potential.

 

The Argentina-Switzerland was less immediately satisfying from an entertainment viewpoint, but the tension was palpable, as the Swiss frustrated Argentina's creative players, and the South Americans struggled for ideas to break through. I have heard criticisms of Switzerland's approach, in supposedly not entering into the prevailing spirit of the World Cup by going all out for the win, but surely they adopted the tactics which they thought would equip them with the best chance of progressing?  As I watched the match, I reflected that this Argentinian team is, in terms of overall strength, not in the same league as its counterparts of the recent past, most notably the exceptionally formidable generation of Zanetti/Veron/Ayala/Batistuta/Crespo etc. The squad is just not as uniformly talented. It was perhaps inevitable that Messi would provide the inspiration for the winning goal, and the onus would seem to be on the Barcelona man to keep doing that.

 

The Belgium-Argentina encounter in the quarter-finals promises much, as Belgium are likely to allow Argentina and Messi more space to play.

 

Germany are still doing enough to win each game, and still appear to have something in hand, with more gears in the box if needed. The frailties in their defensive system were much remarked upon following the victory over Algeria, and will doubtless have been fully noted in the French camp. Although France have impressed, some might contend that they have yet to be fully stretched and tested, and they can be sure that the Germans will oblige in these respects. Do the French go with two fully-fledged strikers, in order to exploit the perceived lack of pace in the German back-line?  It will be a very evenly-matched contest, but my hunch is that the greater experience and resilience in the German team will see them narrowly prevail.

 

The Netherlands had to dig deep to overcome the Mexicans, but I think that they should easily have enough to see off Costa Rica. It is unlikely that Louis van Gaal will need to undertake the tactical manoeuvrings and innovative substitutions which proved necessary in the second round. Costa Rica will probably run out of steam, and the Dutch momentum and all-round prowess should be just too much for them.

 

The Brazil-Colombia is hugely intriguing and mouth-watering. Much will depend on how the Colombians react to their surroundings. If they are inspired rather than inhibited by the occasion then they could well capitalise on the anxiety and pressure which is bound to afflict the Brazil team. Concerns about the fitness of Neymar will only add to the unease. On the other hand, the hosts may feel liberated a little by their "escape" against Chile in the previous game, and could play with slightly more freedom and panache. It should be an amazing occasion.

 

If I was pressed, I would predict that Brazil, Germany, Argentina and the Netherlands will emerge as the four semi-finalists.

 

 

Early World Cup Memories

With the football World Cup rapidly approaching, I am trying to summon up some enthusiasm for the tournament. Even the current flurry of squad announcements has not totally succeeded in this regard, and my next resort may be to watch some old footage. Of course, wallowing in nostalgia may also aid the process...

 

I was a mere toddler when the much-mythologized 1970 World Cup took place, so the 1974 version is the first one which I can vaguely remember, although clear recollections are cloudy and elusive. By 1978 I was a fully paid-up football fanatic, and so Argentina 78 was a big deal, although I was oblivious to some of the manifold unsavoury aspects of that tournament, and the fact that in strict footballing terms, it was quite mediocre.

 

Because of the time difference between South America and Europe, many of the games were televised live late in the evening here, and satellite technology was thankfully still a touch rough and ready, so the picture quality was not always pristine, and the commentary came through in that gloriously evocative "telephone line" flavour. Digital technology soon arrived and ruined everything....

 

My chief recollections of the 1978 edition are falling asleep shortly after the start of the epic Argentina v France match, and being told the next morning by my brother of the numerous dramas which had unfolded. Another incident which lingers in the mind is the France v Hungary encounter, where a clash of kits resulted in the French players donning the shirts of a local club team.  In another match, a pitch-side microphone picked up a piercing cry of pain from one of the Italy players who had been heavily fouled - I think it was Renato Zaccarelli. Of course, any summary of 1978 would not be complete without mention of Archie Gemmill's slalomesque exploits against the Netherlands, or indeed of the two remarkable long-range goals scored by Arie Haan, or the "plaster-cast" gamesmanship immediately before kick-off in the final...

 

A central part of World Cup culture in those days was the Panini sticker album. Agonisingly, my older brother collected all the stickers in 1978 except one.  I recall that the missing player was one of the Scotland squad;it might have been someone like Bruce Rioch or Don Masson...

 

In 1982, I was at secondary school, and I vividly recall the customary rush home after lessons to catch the beginning of the afternoon game. It was faintly surreal to see England involved, after their absence in the previous two World Cups, and many must have found this disorienting. The preponderance of bubble perms and excessively tight shorts could not disguise our abject mediocrity, despite a misleading opening win against France. We duly ran out of steam and ideas in the second phase games. Unbeaten, yes, but that was really meaningless.

 

Spain 1982 was a curate's egg, featuring some excellent football alongside some less appetizing aspects. The Brazil team of that year entranced everyone with its panache and flair, and I was one of many who struggled to come to terms with their exit at the hands of Italy. Even then, I failed to grasp the idea that a team needed to defend as well as attack in order to prevail against the better opposition. It was only with the benefit of time and discernment that I was able to recognise the overall quality of that Italian team, and the fact that they were very worthy winners.

 

People generally tend to wax lyrical, and make inflated claims, about "cultural" events which occurred just as their consciousness of those types of events was dawning. 1978 and 1982, I can see now, were nowhere near as good as 1974. Indeed, I think there is a strong argument for saying that 1974 was the best World Cup, in terms of the strength in depth of the teams involved, and the overall quality and tactical interest of the football on display. 1970 and 1986 were both lavishly entertaining, but the altitude and heat distorted matters, leading to tired defences and innumerable mistakes. 1974 was "proper" football, physically robust but enterprising.

I just hope that the 2014 competition approaches the glories of the past.