It was a great game for both sides.
Not the face drubbing like yesterday :lawl:

I hope they win.

however, it would be the ULTIMATE slap to Brazil

Well, at least now I know who to cheer for during the final match. Would be tough if both my predicted teams were to play each other.

The intensity that Netherlands had coming into the tournament was what kept them afloat. It just wasn't there for the last 2 games.

Go Germany Go!

Holy shit it keeps getting worse

:QQ:

My two favorite players Messi and Ozil in the World Cup final and I have no idea who to cheer for. It'd be nice to see Messi get one, considering he's practically the whole team (though this semi-final had guys like Mascherano and Zabaleta show up). And it would finally cement his status as the best ever imo.

My heart says Argentina, but the ol' noggin says Germany is going to take this one 3-1. They're just so deep in every position on the field it's almost not fair.

horrible fucking game, im choked -_-

holland didn't attack at all (cept for what 2? shots) they were both playing for penalties
and then Holland let the dumbass watch the goal who in hindsight was horrible compared to Krul

:okay:


GO GERMANY!

Probably one of the dullest games played in years. Watch around the 110th minute. Holland literally has the ball in Argentinas 3rd and every single player is standing still.

After yesterdays game I was hoping for an actual match. What a shame.

it was a dull game for most people

but that was a midfield battle was epic

Apparently two players declined the first PK.

Louis van Gaal reveals two Netherlands players REFUSED to take first penalty in World Cup shootout - Mirror Online

Anyways, this game was shit. Both teams played ultra defensive and barely took any chances. Argentina advances but I think it won't matter. Germany will win; if Argentina can barely expose a Swiss and Belgium defense good luck against Germany.

People make Germany sound like they are invincible which is becoming annoying. Ghana showed that all you need to do is play technical attacking football and take the game to Germany. They played the game fast and set the tempo. Likewise Brazil, despite playing absolute shit on Monday came out with some fire in the second half: almost scoring three times...Neur however managed to save them. I think he's the best keeper in the world (arguable seeing Ochoa's performance at this World Cup) but still one of the top 3 in the world easily.

The irony is Argentina has been playing pretty drub football in this cup. Argentina of the past is brazen, loses possession, sucks at defending but attacks with a frenzy for want of goals and tends to get them for how many they miss. Players would make crazy "glory" runs with the ball "Maradona" style, rocket shots from 30+ yards out (think Tevez vs Mexico in 2010) It's almost as if they have done a 180, learning from their mistakes of the past and decided to give responsible play a try.

Argentina should look at what Ghana did well in that game and incorporate it come Sunday. I believe they can be beaten but it won't be easy by any means and I'm not sure if they will even contemplate their strategy. If they go in with this possession build up style of play it will be very difficult for them to score on Germany. They have to take the game to them and get ready to defend if/when they fuck up...they have to work hard. It's the intricate skilled short passing, and 1 on 1 skill that caught Germany. Stealing the ball and playing the counter attack quickly. They need to take it to them or else I see them losing 1 or 2 nil, at best, holding a dead lock to penalties once again.

A win is a win but there is no glory in penalties...shittiest way to win any football game, but especially the World Cup.

Sorry but if you think Argentina can play the way Ghana does you're delusional. Ghana's strategy for Germany was to sit back and run like fuckers once they got they got the ball. The germans controlled the game up until the later stages of the second half because they played in near 40 degree weather. That game was a one off for the Germans and Argentina cannot match Ghanas athletism or physicality. They also lack Ghana's height up front agaisnt a very tall german backline.

Algeria too.. ^^

Heh thats right. The algerians played very similar to ghana that game and wrecked havok behind the german backline. However that was mainly because the germans played an absurdly high line that game with Mertersacker (slow ass mofo) and also had Lahm (tiny little guy, best rb though) as their dmf. With Hummels back for Mert and Schweinsteiger in as dmf i don't see the germans being exposed like that again.

You make good points. Do you think there's any other way for a team to beat Germany outside of being stronger and taller? Athleticism in terms of football is a broad attribute so let's put that aside for now.

Counterattack and park the bus. Mark Toni Kroos out of the game, hes been the best player in this world cup. His passing percentage is currently ludicrous. He's the maestro of this team like how Xavi was for Spain in his prime. Attack down the left (Germany is playing a centerback in that position who isn't the fastest).

Germany is so complete in that they can tiki taka like Spain but also play physical due their size advantage in most positions.

Real madrids cl semi win over Bayern is a good example of how to counter atack a team like Germany. I mentioned height earlier because Argentina obviously have some very small players up front which limits them from being able to hit crosses effectively (sometjing Di Maria is very good at for Real Madrid).

You also fail to mention Real Madrid have the two strongest and skilled wingers in the world in Ronaldo and Bale. Messi is good, but he doesn't have the physical strength those two have which brings something completely different to the table.

RMutt's question didn't state Argentina, he just said any team.

"Do you think there's any other way for a team to beat Germany outside of being stronger and taller"

I am well aware of Argentina's players it is why I said they won't be able to play a style that Ghana and Algeria played against Germany. Essentially a 4-4-2 with the front 2 moving to the wings when the team doesn't have the ball and of course when they do have the ball the front two are to burst forward with pace to counterattack.

Holland was playing safe. Argentina just followed the same style it has been playing throughout the cup.

If Germany doesn't smart up and keeps leaving 2+ defender to neutralize Messi, they are 50% lost.

Argentina's midfield was incredible. Look at the last game. Whenever the ball crossed the mid lane, Argentina would take the ball. The only way to crack that is to take your chances with Messi and be more aggressive.

People are under the overwhelming impression of a German team that did 7-1 to Brazil. But it was not the Brazil team that earned its historical reputation. They didn't have Neymar, and more importantly, they didn't have Silva. So the entire midfield composition was gone.

Look at the Germany in Ghanna, Algeria or France game. They are not god-like or even dominating at any point. And Argentina certainly had something more than luck to be at the final. Unless Germany changes their tactics dramatically, Argentina is going to be the party-crasher for a lot of people.

Quoted before Germany plays the same way and dominates Argentina.

That wouldn't have changed shit....

Try playing for 110 minutes and see how much running you can do.

"Brazil is leaking goals like a sieve" LOL commentator

This Brazilian defence is HORRIBLE

David Luiz :troll:

I have a feeling they might burn down the stadium if Brazil loses horribly lol