Worldcup 2014

[jacko9]

That last free kick when he (Messi) had all that time to consider and (even rest) was not the mark of the "Golden Player" for sure.

To take anything away from the caliber player that Messi is over that free kick is just silly.

OK, your correct!  Messi is a great player but he couldn't carry his team today.  It was a close game I just don't appreciate the fall back defense game Argentina played today.

Jack

 

[Slartibartfass]

DEUTSCHLAND! As predicted....

 

[Hogarth]

What an impressive cup for Die Mannschaft!  It was fun to watch all their games, which is more than I could say about Argentina. Would've loved to have seen Messi work some magic in the final, though. The best team won in the end.

 

[Tinker]

That last free kick when he (Messi) had all that time to consider and (even rest) was not the mark of the "Golden Player" for sure.

To take anything away from the caliber player that Messi is over that free kick is just silly.

OK, your correct!  Messi is a great player but he couldn't carry his team today.  It was a close game I just don't appreciate the fall back defense game Argentina played today.

Jack

All things considered, I think Messi played a very good game individually.  How many shots did he miss?  How much support didn't he have on any of his shots?  It seemed that every time he made a run, he was all alone, one player supporting or surrounded by the German team.  Germany was nearly always supported by a group of players everywhere on the field. 

I had heard from one of the announcers that the German coach had brought only one true striker (Klose) and no backs.  He brought only midfielders.  I think that was a stroke of genius.  Everytime the team got the ball in defensive area, they seemed always to have a lot of choices of who to pass to.  The long balls were dead n the foot (or body) of team-mates.

Messi seemed to not have as many choices.  It seemed he was the only one getting the ball into penalty and or goal area.  I don't knock him.  How many elbows were thrown at opponents heads? (Note a reply above about Red Cross being needed)  Messi was NOT a contributor to such action.  I give him credit even tho i was not rooting for him, or his team.
Tinker

 

[mouppe]

Higuain missed a sitter. Palacio missed a good chance. If either of those had gone in when it was 0-0 the headlines would have been very different. I thought Argentina defended very well, one momentary lapse of concentration and a spectacular finish was the only difference between the teams.

 

[greg mann]

I just keep thinking what kind of odds Las Vegas would have had two years ago if they claimed each World Cup finalist would have their own Pope. [scratch chin]

Kidding aside, I enjoy the observations coming in. I never played soccer but it was my oldest son's sport of choice and it is fascinating to see the game played at its highest level.

 

[Hogarth]

I agree that it was a match that could've tipped the other direction.

Overall, though, Germany had a much more entertaining playing style and a complete team vs. the very defense-counterattack minded Argentina -which reminded me a bit of a classic Italian side.  The Italians usually do well in these cups but they rarely score many goals. They score one or two and park the player's bus in front of their own goal. Argentina won all of their games with one goal except for one that was (unfortunately) decided on penalty kicks. On the other hand, Germany must've broken some record with all their goals.