It seems like it was only yesterday that we were waiting for it to begin but here we are on the verge of the World Cup final that will be contested by two protaganists that know each other inside out. After 62 games played and 167 goals scored, the 32 teams have been whittled down to leave Argentina and Germany ready to face off at Rio’s Maracana Stadium tomorrow evening. Whoever you decide to support it’s always good to know a few facts which if used wisely will make everyone think you’re an expert on international football.
Here’s our cheat sheet to help you on your way...
1986: Argentina met West Germany in the World Cup Final of Mexico86 at the Azteca Stadium, Mexico City. In front of a crowd of 114,600, Argentina won the game 3-2 in normal time to become World Champions for the 2nd time. They previously won the tournament in 1978 when they hosted the competition and will be looking to add a third tomorrow evening.
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1990: Rome’s Olympic Stadium was the venue for a repeat of the 1896 final between Argentina and West Germany. A crowd of 73,603 saw the Germans gain revenge for the defeat four years earlier with a 85th minute Andreas Brehme penalty the only goal of a bad tempered match. This was the 3rd time that the Germans had won the cup and will be looking for their 4th tomorrow evening.
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Red Cards: Argentina ended the 1990 final with nine players on the field of play. First defender Pedro Monzón became the first player to get sent off in a World Cup final when he received a straight red for a bad foul on Jurgen Klinsmann. Not long after, Gustavo Dezotti received his marching orders for ‘clothes-lining’ Jurgen Kohler.
Franz Beckenbauer: When West Germany lost the 1986 final Beckenbauer became the first man to lose a World Cup final as both a player and a manager (He had played in West Germany's defeat in the 1966 final). The ‘Kaiser’ as he was known balanced out this unwelcome stat by winning the World Cup as coach in 1990 as he had done as a player in 1974.
Messi: In Spain and South America Lionel Messi is known as ‘La Pulga Atomica’ which means the Atomic Flea. This goes back to the days when he was much smaller than the other boys he used to play football with due to a growth hormone deficiency. He won the FIFA Ballon d’or four years in a row before coming second to his great rival and much taller man Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this year.
Ozil: Currently leading the stats in this World Cup with 135 completed passes in the attacking third of the pitch, Ozil’s style earned him the nickname‘der Rabe’ (the Raven), in honour of his smart and opportunistic play. The Arsenal midfield schemer divides opinion with his languid demeanour but remains the ‘assist’ King of world football.
Sabella: The Argentinian manager Alejandro‘Alex’ Sabella once played for both Sheffield Utd and Leeds Utd back in the late 1970s and early 80s. His lack of pace in his playing days earned him the nickname ‘Pachorra’ which means ‘the sloth’. Some say that he lacks the authority as leader and that Messi dictates the strategy but Sabella is a delegator not a dictator and it was he who decided to make Messi his captain and drop Carlos Tevez from the squad.
Joachim Loew: The German manager has been at the helm of the national side since 2006 and has led them to three major tournaments reaching a final and two semi-finals respectively. Known for his casual style of dress and a penchant for picking his nose this urbane man of the world likes to take risks on and off the pitch. A thrill seeker by nature he once climbed Mount Kilimanjaro but then again he also lost his driving licence for speeding just before the World Cup began. It would be wise to expect the unexpected from the brooding tactician.
Songs: German fans are famous for the sonic boom that they can create in football stadiums. They prefer chants to songs and one of their favourites is ‘Steh auf wenn Du ein Deutscher bist’ which literally translates into ‘Stand up if you’re a German’ sung to the tune of the Pet Shop Boys ‘Go West’.
On the other hand Argentinian football fans prefer their songs to be a little more complex and love the fact that their hosts are out of the tournament after being humiliated 7-1 by the Germans. Be prepared to hear ‘Brasil, decime qué se siente, tener en casa tu papa’ (Brazil, tell me how it feels, to be bossed around in your own home). The song continues with references to past football victories against Brazil before ending with another bold statement: ‘Maradona is greater than Pelé.’
