World Cup Finals: Europeans or Americans?

THE CLASH OF THE TITANS

The debate is on, whether it is going to be another round of European or the long cherished Latin American giant’s final, Brazil vs. Argentina.

“VAMOS VAMOS ARGENTINA!” the whole world, especially us Asians and some Spanish supporters along with the Argentinians are probably knuckled off already at their superstars brilliant performance at the world’s greatest show, YES Lionel Messi is alive in his extravagant flare once more, with 4goals and 1assist under his belt, you never know how much more of a performance is left from arguably, the world’s greatest player. Pele, the football maestro has been awed with the performance of this individual. On paper although, critics say Argentina’s performance has been a one man game Messi, Messi and only Messi throughout. But as the business end of the tournament drew near higuain,di  Maria and Zabaleta seem to justify their name. Higuain’s brilliant performance and a fantastic goal in the quarter finals helped them dodge off the brilliant Belgian side. Although Di Maria was stretchered out due to an injury, he is expected to return the next game against the Netherlands. History says, all the three times Argentina have qualified for the semi-finals, they never stopped until being in the finals. A win in 1978 and 1986 and a 1-0 defeat in the 1990 finals to Germany. Gear up lads, we might be witnessing another Maradona in making.

Netherlands have always been a great footballing nation but share the term ‘chokers’ with their European opponents Germany. They have had been to the final several times but failing to curb out a win a single time. The failure at the stage when it matters the most has always disappointed the men in orange. This probably being the last world cup to legends like Robben, Sneijder, van Persie, and the three tusks of the giants might have that extra fuel to return the smile to the faces of their countrymen, can they defy their odd charm at the finals? Well, we have wait to find out!

Germany have been the most consistent side at the world cups. Qualifying thirteen times among all the twenty world cups held so far! Beckenbauer, Muller, Ballack to modern day Klose, Thomas Muller and Schweinsteiger, the bombers have always boasted of producing the best players in the world. They have the most balanced squad among all other nations. With defenders like Hummels, lahm play-makers in Ozil, Bastian and goal-poachers such as Muller and Klose, it really needs a lot of spark to get the better of this german side. Miroslav Klose is only a goal away from being the top scorer at the world cups and he might be on the lookout to punish the teams who dare stand in his way. Despite their fantastic record, the last two ad several other world cups saw Germany face an untimely departure and the “chokers” need to get rid of this form soon.

The host nation Brazil have been the favourites undoubtedly for this world cup. Despite a few hitches, and bad Performances, they qualified for the semis in style and their brilliant team performance against Columbia bought everyone’s attention. They are the most successful footballing nation till date and have won five world cups till date. This Brazilian squad brings promise to the hopes of their countrymen and the worldwide enchanters of “JOGA BONITA”. But the departure of their talisman Neymar is going to come heavily down on them, as Neymar has been the most crucial part of Brazil’s gameplay. David Luiz and Neymar are those two players who have been performing even in Brazil’s worst of games, and although there are incredible talented players like William and Bernard in Brazil’s bench, they fall ways short of Neymar da silva santos. Dante shall provide an effective substitution to Thiago Silva’s absence from the squad due to his second yellow card hopefully. But football is a funny game and Brazil are the fiestas of football. So you might never know, if the Brazilians bring home their sixth world cup in their own country.

QUIP’S PREDICTIONS GOES IN THE FAVOUR OF AN ARGENTINA-BRAZIL FINAL. WHO DO YOU PLACE YOUR MONEY ON?QUIP EAGERLY WAITS FOR YOUR RESPONSE.TILL THEN LETS ALL HOPE TO HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL GAME DUG DEEP IN OUR HEARTS.

-Anubhav Chakraborty, Sports Analyst for QUIP.