Dirty Tackle2014 World Cup final - What you need to know
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The 2014 FIFA World Cup final takes place Sunday at Brazil’s legendary Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, pitting three-time World Cup winner, Germany against Argentina, a country that’s also hoisted the trophy twice previously.
What you need to know
TV: The 2014 FIFA World Cup final airs at 3pm EST today on ABC and Univision
Who: Three-time winners Germany face two-time winners Argentina
Where: Match takes place at legendary Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Germany
Led by coach Joachim Low, Germany were drawn into Group G, with the Portugal, Ghana and the USA. After winning their first match with a 4-0 drubbing of Portugal, they here held to a 2-2 draw in their second match against Ghana, before beating the U.S. 1-0 to top the group and advance to the round of 16.
In the knockout round they beat Algeria 2-1, advancing to a quarterfinal that saw them edge France 1-0. They secured their place in the final with a 7-1 destruction of host nation Brazil, and are considered favorites to lift the Cup.
Starting lineup:
G: Neuer
D: Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Howedes,
M: Schweinsteiger, Kramer, Kroos
F: Mueller, Klose, Ozil
Coach: Joachim Loew
Argentina
Coached by Alejandro Sabella and led on the field by the mercurial Lionel Messi, Argentina’s path to the final was less straightforward. They struggled in their group stage matches, beating Bosnia 2-1 in their opener and requiring late heroics from Messi to secure a 1-0 win over Iran. In their third match, they struggled to maintain a lead over Nigeria, but eventually won 3-2 to top group F and advance.
In the round of 16 they beat Switzerland 1-0, advancing to a quarterfinal with Belgium in which they also secured a 1-0 win. A semifinal clash with the Netherlands proved difficult, and with Messi shackled by a dogged Dutch defense, it took penalty kicks to earn a place in the final.
Despite two previous World Cup wins and boasting a player widely considered the best in the world in their ranks (Messi), Argentina head into today’s final as underdogs.
Starting lineup
G: Romero
D: Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Rojo
M: Biglia Mascherano, Perez, Messi, Lavezzi
F: Higuain
Coach: Alejandro Sabella
Postgame live show
You can follow all the action through Yahoo’s World Soccer Live show, which will feature special postgame analysis from Yahoo soccer analyst and former USMNT player Carlos Bocanegra, and Yahoo’s Global Soccer Ambassador, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
Visit Yahoo’s World Cup Home for more information, including previews and predictions from Yahoo’s soccer experts.
