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The Manchester City player feels the Europeans are the clear favourites, but has stressed Argentina will give their all to emerge victorious
Argentina forward Sergio Aguero believes all of the pressure is on Germany in Sunday's World Cup final.
The Manchester City attacker feels Joachim Low's men were the team to beat right from the start of the tournament and is happy to head into the game as the underdogs.
Germany impressed in the semi-finals with a 7-1 win over hosts Brazil, whereas Argentina needed penalties to overcome Netherlands in their final-four clash.
"Germany were always the favourites, along with Brazil, to win the World Cup," Aguero said at a press conference. "They continue to be so now. We need to play our own game and it suits us that all the pressure is on them.
"We want to have control of the ball, but we know that Germany are a great team that know each other off by heart having played together for many years.
"It is clear that Argentina always go out to win, but sometimes during the game you have to be cautious. We are all aware of what the objective is and we will leave everything on the field to achieve it.
"We are in the final and we have to play it and win it in whatever way possible. Germany will definitely be worried about us. We have a number of players in attack who can cause them trouble."
Argentina last made it to the World Cup final in 1990, when they were beaten 1-0 by West Germany.
Assistant coach Hansi Flick says Joachim Low and his team have devised a way to keep the Argentina star from running riot in Sunday's World Cup final at the Maracana
Germany assistant coach Hansi Flick says they have a ‘secret plan’ to stop Lionel Messi in the World Cup final on Sunday.
After four goals in the three group games, Messi assisted the winning strikes in both Argentina’s last-16 clash with Switzerland and the quarter-final tie against Belgium.
But the Barcelona star was shackled by the Netherlands' defence during 120 minutes of goalless action in the semi-final on Wednesday.
And although Flick revealed Germany will be paying special attention to the diminutive number 10, he refused to be drawn on what their ploy would entail.
"We saw how the Dutch managed to keep Messi out, but we too have a special plan for him, although I won't give that away," he said.
"We're looking forward to meeting a compact, organised team and in Messi, they have one of the outstanding players of the tournament.
"We know plenty about Argentina, Germany has to accept the role of favourites, but the final will write its own script."
Argentina have made it to their first final in 24 years, with their last appearance in the showpiece ending in a 1-0 defeat to West Germany at Italia '90.
Lahm: Experience can lead Germany to World Cup glory
By Harry West
Jul 11, 2014 16:25:00
The captain believes his side's pedigree will be key to overcoming the challenge of Argentina at the Maracana on Sunday
Philipp Lahm believes Germany's greater experience will give them the upper hand in Sunday's Fifa World Cup final with Argentina.
Germany reached the showpiece at the Maracana courtesy of a 7-1 demolition of a sorry Brazil in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, while Argentina required a penalty shootout to see off the Netherlands in their semi-final.
And speaking in a press conference ahead of the squad's departure to Rio de Janeiro, Lahm claimed that Germany's greater know-how in big games will work in their favour.
"A lot of our players have experience of playing in big finals with big clubs," he said. "That's definitely an advantage for us.
"You never know how far you will go, but we've prepared well, worked as a team and now we're one step away.
"I'm looking forward to the final. We want simply to become world champion.
"[If we won] I would go to bed early...or maybe in the early hours."
Sunday's World Cup final is a repeat of the 1986 final, in which Argentina prevailed 3-2, and the final in Italy four years later which saw Germany take the crown with a 1-0 victory.
The Germany international is yet to be on the losing side against the Argentina star and is hell bent on extending that record this weekend
Germany forward Thomas Muller has never lost against a team including Lionel Messi, and doesn’t plan on bucking that trend when he faces Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.
Muller has enjoyed another stellar World Cup, with his five goals in six games matching the tally that won him the golden boot four years ago in South Africa.
And the Bayern Munich man says he and the rest of the team will do everything in their power to lift the trophy for the first time in 24 years.
"It'll be very important to push ourselves to the limit, especially defensively. You need to be quick to keep up with [Lionel] Messi.
"We've played against Messi a few times. I've never lost a competitive game against him.
"We haven't had a tour of Rio de Janeiro yet but for me the only reason for going back there is to win the World Cup."
Germany thrashed hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final but Muller expects Sunday’s clash at the Maracana to be a much stiffer test for Joachim Low’s side.
"I don't know what kind of a game it will be on Sunday, but I don't expect it to be 5-0 at half-time," he said. "That would be nice, but it's probably going to be tight like it was against Algeria or France."
"We'll give everything we've got to win the World Cup.”
Messi is not the greatest of all time, says Mourinho
By Stefan Coerts
Jul 11, 2014 12:21:00
The Chelsea boss believes the Argentina star has yet to surpass some former greats, while he feels Arjen Robben, Paul Pogba and Manuel Neuer were the stars of the World Cup
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has voiced his opinion that Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi is not the best player of all time.
Debate has raged about whether the four-time Ballon d'Or winner is the best player the world has ever seen, with many insisting Pele and Diego Maradona are ahead of him having carried their respective countries to World Cup triumphs.
Mourinho has stressed the Argentina international has shown over the past decade he is a fantastic attacker - irrespective of the result of the World Cup final against Germany - but feels the prolific forward is not number one just yet.
"I think Messi is a fantastic player. He doesn’t need to win the World Cup to be considered a fantastic player," Mourinho said in his role as Yahoo’s Global Football Ambassador.
"He doesn’t need to win the World Cup to be considered an historical player in this decade. But for me he is not the greatest player of all time."
The Chelsea boss then went on to praise Arjen Robben following his fine performances at this summer's tournament, while he also had words of encouragement for Manuel Neuer and Paul Pogba.
"I think Robben has been the best player of the World Cup. I think from day one until the last match he was the player who play at a high level, never ever up and down, always up.
"I would say Pogba has been the best young player, because he had a good World Cup despite the fact his team didn’t reach the last four. I think he showed that he is a big player for the next World Cup.
"The best goalkeeper? If Neuer is so good and solid in the final as he was up until now I would say Neuer."
Mourinho was less impressed by countries such as Spain, England, Italy and Portugal, but felt it has been a great World Cup nonetheless.
"Lots of big teams disappointed, England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, so many of them were below expectations and didn’t even qualify from the group stage.
"But it has been a fantastic World Cup. Costa Rica, Columbia, Chile, US , Algeria, these are the teams responsible for the beautiful World Cup."
Nicola Rizzoli has a CV comparable to Howard Webb and Pierluigi Collina so he deserves to be World Cup final referee
Rizzoli has refereed twice already at the World Cup and has excelled
Webb tipped Rizzoli to be World Cup final referee two weeks ago
He will take charge of Sunday's final between Germany and Argentina
Rizzoli's CV is so good it can be compared with Webb's and Collina's
By Graham Poll
Published: 00:42 GMT, 12 July 2014 | Updated: 00:48 GMT, 12 July 2014
Howard Webb tipped Nicola Rizzoli to be appointed as the final referee two weeks ago.
The camp has been affected by politics all tournament and being connected to the right people helps. So does being a good referee and Rizzoli ticks that box.
He has experience with both teams, having refereed Argentina twice in these finals and Bayern Munich’s Champions League knockout win over Arsenal last season.
Opportunity: Italian referee Nicolas Rizzoli will referee Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Germany
Final: Lionel Messi and Argentina will face Germany at the Maracana on Sunday for the World Cup
Bayern, of course, could provide six of Germany’s line-up.
Rizzoli boasts a CV to compare with those of Webb and Pierluigi Collina, the 2002 final referee.
I just hope Rizzoli’s final is as easy to handle as his fellow Italian’s and nothing like the brutal game Webb got four years ago.
Discipline: English referee Howard Webb (right) refereed the brutal World Cup final in 2010
Prediction: Webb tipped Rizzoli to be the World Cup final referee as much as two weeks ago
Top class: Rizzoli has a CV comparable with Webb and former Italian referee Pierluigi Collina
Germany-Argentina Preview: Can Messi join football's immortals?
Jul 12, 2014 08:22:00
The two teams face each other in a World Cup final for the third time at the Maracana on Sunday, with the Barcelona star on the brink of joining the pantheon of all-time greats
By Greg Stobart in Rio de Janeiro
One of the greatest World Cups in history comes down to a final between two countries with mixed memories of playing against each other for the biggest sporting prize on the planet.
In 1986, Argentina beat Germany in the final in Mexico. Four years later, Germany were crowned world champions after beating the South Americans.
Now they prepare for a third final against each other in a game that pitches the best European side of the tournament against the best from South America, as Argentina look to win at the home of their greatest rivals Brazil.
It is also a match that provides Lionel Messi a chance to seal his position in the pantheon of football greats. He has won everything there is to win at club level, scooped up four Ballon d’Or awards and now stands one match away from emulating Diego Maradona by guiding Argentina to World Cup glory.
Messi has been the main man for the Albiceleste during the tournament, scoring four goals so far and creating Angel Di Maria’s extra-time winner in the last 16 victory over Switzerland.
Star man| Muller needs one goal to draw level with Golden Boot leader James Rodriguez
The Barcelona man is likely to again find himself without the support of Di Maria for the final after the midfielder missed the semi-final against the Netherlands with a thigh problem.
Di Maria has been doing some training as he desperately tries to return to action, but Sunday’s final is expected to come too soon. Sergio Aguero, though, is in contention for a starting spot after coming on as a substitute against Holland on his return from a similar muscle injury.
Standing in the way of Argentina’s quest for a third World Cup triumph are Germany, who arrive in Rio de Janeiro fresh from a 7-1 massacre of hosts Brazil in the semi-final and brimming with confidence.
Opta Facts
Germany are set to play in their eighth World Cup final; more than any other nation. They have won three titles.
They have won just one of their last four appearances in the World Cup final (1990 v Argentina).
Germany have now reached a World Cup final in each of the last seven decades (1954, 1966, 1974, 1982 and 86, 1990, 2002 and now 2014).
Argentina are set to play in their fifth World Cup final, they have won two and lost two of the previous four.
This will be the third World Cup final between Germany and Argentina. They met in successive finals in 1986 and 1990, with each team lifting the title (3-2 Argentina in 1986, 1-0 Germany in 1990).
No other fixture has been played as often in a World Cup final as Germany v Argentina.
This is the 10th time that teams from Europe and South America face each other in the final. Seven of these finals have been won by the teams from South America.
Both sides will face off for the seventh time at the World Cup, the only fixtures that have been played as often are Brazil v Sweden and Germany v Yugoslavia/Serbia (seven times).
Germany have won three and lost just one of the previous six World Cup encounters with Argentina (D2). Germany also won the penalty shootout in 2006 against Argentina.
Germany had eliminated Argentina from the 2006 World Cup (1-1 AET and 4-2 on penalties in the quarter-final) and from the 2010 World Cup (4-0 in the quarter-final).
The 4-0 defeat in 2010 is Argentina’s heaviest World Cup defeat in the last 40 years (0-4 v Netherlands in 1974).
Argentina have won nine out of 20 games against Germany (D5 L6), though. The last meeting (August 2012, Frankfurt) saw Argentina win 3-1.
No side have kept as many clean sheets as Argentina in the 2014 World Cup (four, Germany have three).
Argentina are yet to concede a goal in the knock-out stages at this tournament (despite playing extra-time in two of their three games).
On the last five occasions that Germany have failed to score in a World Cup match, they have lost.
The last time Germany scored in a World Cup match and lost was the 1994 quarter final defeat to Bulgaria (1-2).
Germany are unbeaten in 17 internationals (W12, D5).
Argentina haven’t been trailing in any of their six games at the 2014 World Cup, Germany just eight minutes (v Ghana).
Argentina have won four out of five penalty shootouts at the World Cup, Germany won four out of four (including the one against Argentina in 2006).
Miroslav Klose has scored more World Cup goals than any other player in history and as many as the entire current Argentinian squad (16).
Only Lothar Matthäus (25) has played more World Cup games than Klose (23, as many as Paolo Maldini).
Klose is the only player in both squads who has already played in a World Cup final (2002, 0-2 v Brazil).
Argentina’s Angel di Maria and Marcos Rojo lead the way in terms of crosses attempted from open play, with Rojo’s haul of 25 so far bettered only by team-mate di Maria (32).
Thomas Müller has played a hand in 16 World Cup goals in 12 appearances at the finals (10 goals and six assists).
Müller (2010 and 2014) and Klose (2002 and 2006) are the only players in history to score 5+ goals at consecutive World Cup tournaments.
Müller is the first-ever Golden Boot winner to reproduce his number of goals at the following World Cup (five goals in 2010, five in 2014).
Müller could also become the first player ever to win the Golden Boot at successive World Cups.
Lionel Messi has been the most creative player at World Cup 2014, setting up a tournament-high 21 goal-scoring chances for team-mates.
Messi has embarked on a tournament-high 65 dribbles so far, completing (another-high) 39 of them.
No German player has created more chances for their teammates in the 2014 World Cup than Mesut Özil (15).
Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has attempted a competition-high 509 passes so far.
Mascherano has also made the most tackles so far – 28.
Andre Schürrle has scored three times in just 156 minutes of action so far at this World Cup.
Only Tim Howard (27) has made more saves in the competition than Manuel Neuer (23).
Lionel Messi has scored five World Cup goals to date, but none of them in the knockout stages.
Angel di Maria or Sami Khedira will become the 10th player to win both the Champions League and the World Cup in the same season. Seven of the previous nine have been German (Bayern Munich 1974) along with Christian Karembeu in 1998 and Roberto Carlos in 2002.
For Germany, this final represents the finish line following the restructure of the country’s football set-up in the wake of a dire performance at Euro 2000. For all the plaudits they have received in recent years, the team has not yet won an international trophy.
Joachim Low’s side will start as slight favourites following the brutal demolition of Brazil and given they have come out on top in their last two World Cup encounters against Argentina, winning on penalties in 2006 and thrashing the side coached by Maradona 4-0 in 2010.
Germany are a ruthless, efficient machine with no obvious weaknesses and several options in every position.
Without a star player in the mould of Messi or Neymar, the Europeans have relied on Thomas Muller to lead their attack. The Bayern Munich man has scored five goals in this World Cup and is one short of drawing level with James Rodriguez to win the Golden Boot, just as he did in South Africa four years ago. He has also never lost a match when playing against Messi.
Low is expected to name the same team that started against Brazil as Germany attempt to become the first European country to win a World Cup on South American soil.
Argentina fined by Fifa for press conference snubs
By Rupert Fryer
Jul 11, 2014 16:00:00
AFA have been handed a hefty fine from world football's governing body for failing to produce a player to the media on four separate occasions
The Argentinian Football Association have been fined almost €250,000 for failing to bring players to four separate press conferences.
All teams competing at World Cup 2014 are required to have at least one member of the playing staff join their coach for the events.
However pre-match press conferences for Argentina’s matches against Nigeria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands were all attended only by coach Alejandro Sabella.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed a fine of CHF 300,000 and pronounced a reprimand against the Argentina FA,” Fifa said.
"Disciplinary proceedings were opened after Argentina turned up to three consecutive Match Day -1 news conferences in the stadium with only the head coach present instead of the required head coach plus at least one player.”
“The objective of the said regulations,” Fifa added, “is to allow media, and ultimately fans, to have an opportunity to follow a team’s preparations, while also allowing each team to have the best possible environment for those preparations.”
On Thursday Maxi Rodriguez and Sergio Aguero attended a media conference ahead of Argentina's first World Cup final in 24 years.
Sabella's side will meet Germany at the Maracana on Sunday.
Officials have come under-fire for their reluctance to brandish cards at World Cup 2014 but the vice-president Jim Boyce says there was no directive from above
Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce has refuted suggestions that referees at the World Cup have been ordered to be lenient.
With two matches remaining, the 2014 finals in Brazil have seen 10 dismissals - the lowest figure at the tournament since 1986, when 52 games were played, 12 less than in the competition's current format.
But Boyce rejected such claims, though, and was fulsome in his praise of the officiating seen at the finals thus far.
"I think the refereeing has been superb, and it has not happened by chance," he said.
"I have seen all the courses and seminars, listened to the instructors, and spoken to the referees and they have told me they have never had such good preparation for a World Cup.
"The referees have been told to only send a player off if they were 100 per cent certain it was a red card, but nothing has ever been said about being lenient."
Boyce also believes the tournament as a whole has been a success, after previous concerns surrounding security and the readiness of the stadia.
"We have seen some tremendous matches," he added.
"There were a lot of worries before the tournament, security was a big concern, stadiums were a big concern, but in fairness it has gone a lot better than people expected.
"Brazil deserves an awful lot of credit because there was a lot of speculation there would be big problems."
The Selecao were embarrassed 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals of the World Cup on Tuesday, casting severe doubt over the future of their head coach
Zico believes Luiz Felipe Scolari should resign after the World Cup following Brazil's failure to lift the trophy this summer.
The South Americans were one of the favourites to win the tournament on home soil, but their bid for a sixth title came to an abrupt halt on Tuesday when they were beaten 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals.
Zico feels Scolari should consequently leave his position and has suggested Sao Paulo coach Muricy Ramalho as his replacement.
"We should thank Scolari and thank [assistant coach Carlos Alberto] Parreira too. But we need to choose new people with new thoughts about how to play the Brazilian way," The former Brazil star told news agency EFE.
"Ramalho is one the greatest champions of the Brazilian league, which is one of the hardest in the world to win."
Zico then went on to discuss the strength of Brazil and stressed that their failure to win the World Cup is the result of a lack of quality.
"If you look at the starting players in the last year, none of them were key players at their clubs.
"Look at Neymar, the best player in Brazil, but how many times was he on the bench for Barcelona last season...
"Fred, Marcelo, Hulk all played inconsistently. Even David Luiz and Oscar, you can't say they were first choices at Chelsea."
Brazil meet Netherlands in the battle for third place in Brasilia on Saturday.
Neuer, Navas and Romero nominated for Golden Glove
Jul 11, 2014 20:32:00
The two goalkeepers set to face off in the World Cup final have joined the Costa Rica hero on the shortlist, with Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa missing out
Manuel Neuer, Keylor Navas and Sergio Romero have been nominated for the Fifa Golden Glove, awarded to the best goalkeeper at the World Cup.
Neuer has started every game for finalists Germany, keeping a clean sheet on three occasions and impressing with his 'sweeper keeper' performance against Algeria in the round of 16.
Levante's Navas kept two clean sheets in the group stages as Costa Rica topped Group D ahead of Uruguay, Italy and England, before saving a penalty in the last-16 shootout win over Greece and pulling off a number of saves in the quarter-final loss to Netherlands.
Romero managed four clean sheets during Argentina's run to the final and stopped Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneidjer from the spot in the shootout victory over Netherlands in the semi-finals.
Guillermo Ochoa misses out despite consistently impressing during Mexico's run to the knockout stages, while Tim Howard is also overlooked despite a record-breaking 16 saves during USA's match against Belgium.
Fifa's Technical Study Group, comprised of selected coaches and football analysts, will determine the winner after Sunday's World Cup final.
Lionel Messi, Neymar and Arjen Robben are among the nominees for the Golden Ball award for best player at the World Cup, while Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane and Memphis Depay are shortlisted for the Best Young Player prize.
World Cup 2014: Alejandro Sabella to step down from Argentina post after final against Germany
Argentina coach, whose contract was due to expire after the tournament, has decided to leave his job regardless of the result against Germany, his agent has revealed
End game: Alejandro Sabella is leaving Argentina after the World Cup final Photo: REUTERS
By Telegraph Sport
6:18PM BST 11 Jul 2014
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella will step down after Sunday's World Cup final against Germany regardless of the result, his agent told a local Argentine radio station on Friday.
"To go at the top is always positive. I believe he gave everything to the national team and that now is the time to give way to another person," Eugenio Lopez told FM Delta.
Argentina are one match away from winning their first World Cup since 1986, but they face a Germany side who are on top form after hammering hosts Brazil 7-1 in their semi-final.
Argentina's state news agency, Telam, said the 59-year-old Sabella's contract was due to expire after the tournament. He took control of the national side in 2011.
"He's going. He's leaving whatever happens. Whether they are champions or not, a cycle is ending," Lopez added.
Brazil 0-3 Netherlands: Dutch heap more misery on Selecao in battle for third
Jul 12, 2014 22:53:00
Goals from Robin van Persie, Daley Blind and Georginio Wijnaldum were enough to give Oranje the win over the tournament hosts
Brazil suffered further World Cup humiliation as Louis van Gaal signed off as Netherlands head coach with a 3-0 victory in Brasilia.
The tournament hosts entered Saturday's game hoping to restore some pride following a 7-1 semi-final drubbing against Germany. However, they were undermined as first-half goals from Robin van Persie and Daley Blind and a Georginio Wijnaldum injury-time effort ensured Van Gaal's men took the dubious honour of finishing third.
Not even the presence of talisman Neymar on the bench, albeit not among the substitutes due to the broken vertebra suffered in the quarter-final against Colombia, could rally Brazil.
By contrast, Netherlands were excellent as they sent Van Gaal off to his new role as Manchester United manager on a high.
While the semi-final shootout loss to Argentina will sting, the new Old Trafford supremo will surely look back fondly on a campaign that was not expected to progress beyond a group featuring Spain and Chile.
However, there are few positives for Brazil, whose defeat further consigned their efforts to a dark chamber in their nation's rich footballing history and leaves coach Luiz Felipe Scolari facing an anxious wait over his future.
Such a result seemed unlikely when Wesley Sneijder picked up a hamstring injury in the warm-up, Jonathan de Guzman deputising.
Yet there were no such issues when the game began, with Van Persie putting Netherlands ahead from the penalty spot inside three minutes with his fourth goal of the World Cup.
The striker was instrumental in the move that brought the spot-kick, his clever ball freeing Arjen Robben, who was pulled back by Thiago Silva.
Back in the side following suspension, the skipper was fortunate to only be shown a yellow card, although Brazil felt aggrieved given the contact appeared to be outside of the box.
Undeterred by the subsequent protests, Van Persie despatched a perfect penalty in the top corner that may have left many fans wondering what might have been had he still been on the pitch versus Argentina.
Things quickly went from bad to worse for Brazil as David Luiz's dreadful headed clearance from De Guzman's cross gifted Blind the simplest of finishes after 16 minutes.
The hosts did at least threaten an equaliser, Paulinho and Luiz somehow failing to get on the end of Oscar's wicked delivery across the six-yard box.
To their credit, Brazil continued to battle after the interval with Ramires hitting narrowly wide after getting the better of Ron Vlaar.
Brazil's hopes of getting back into the game were undermined by further poor refereeing, too, as Oscar was booked for diving in the area having been brought down by Blind.
That the left-back was subsequently carried off on a stretch due to the contact only added to the farce.
Even if the penalty had been given, a Brazil comeback seemed unlikely, with a campaign that initially carried such hope ending with a whimper when Wijnaldum powered home Daryl Janmaat's cross in the 91st minute.
Sabella: Argentina need to be perfect against Germany
Jul 12, 2014 23:31:00
The Albiceleste coach claimed his side will have to be at their very best to win Sunday's World Cup final and refused to reveal whether it will be his last game in charge
By Ben Hayward at the Maracana
Alejandro Sabella believes Argentina will need to play "the perfect match" to beat Germany in Sunday's World Cup final at the Maracana.
Argentina overcame Netherlands in a penalty shootout on Wednesday after a goalless 120 minutes in Sao Paulo to set up a date in Rio with Germany, who thrashed hosts Brazil 7-1 in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.
And the Albiceleste coach insists his side cannot take any risks when they face Joachim Low's men in the ultimate clash.
"We have to play a great match against Germany," Sabella said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday. "We will need to cover spaces, occupy spaces and not take risks in areas where you can't take chances.
"Physically and tactically speaking, Germany have always been an extremely powerful team and they are one of the teams that have won the most titles. They have a very defined system of play, they are very direct, very strong, they pass the ball between the lines, use diagonal balls and get the full-backs forward on the flanks.
"We need to play the perfect match."
Sabella refused to discuss his future after quotes from his agent suggested Sunday's match would be his last as Argentina boss, saying the only thing that mattered was his side's clash against Germany.
"I have not discussed anything with my family as regards my future," he said. "It's not at all relevant right now. What's relevant is the World Cup final.
And he added: "From a professional point of view this is most important thing in my career, even more than the final of the Copa Libertadores, which was also here in Brazil."
Angel Di Maria trained in Rio on Saturday, but Sabella refused to reveal whether the Real Madrid winger would play a part on Sunday following his recent thigh injury.
"Tomorrow we'll see," he said. "At the moment I can't say anything about that."
'My heart will stop if Leo delivers' - Rosario and Rio gripped by Messi mania
By Julian Iglesias and Ben Hayward
Jul 13, 2014 10:00:00
Over 42,000 fans have crossed the border to support Argentina in the World Cup final, while excitement has reached fever pitch in the captain's hometown
The only place on Earth that can replaicate the intensity of emotion at the Maracana on Sunday is Rosario, the Argentinian hometown of Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
World Cup fever has gripped the locals for a month and transformed the town to such an extent that the authorities have drawn up a special security plan to prevent trouble in anticipation of wild celebrations.
Around 50,000 people gathered at the central Flag's Monument to celebrate the semi-final victory over Netherlands. More are expected if Messi lifts the trophy even though hundreds have also left for Brazil.
Although they are highly over-priced, all bus and plane tickets north are sold out, while Di Maria has hired a private flight to take 10 of his friends to Rio de Janeiro.
A town usually divided by the rivalry of Rosario Central and Newell's Old Boys is united behind the national team's dream and the crowning of Messi, their prodigal son.
MESSI'S MONUMENTAL MOMENT | Argentina fans will gather here in their thousands
Neighbours of Messi's family from General Las Heras district are confident that their man will make the difference in the final. One said simply: "It is his destiny."
A passionate Argentina supporter, Nacho Catullo, told Goal: "I understand that there are more important things than football, but I'm not able to admit that.
"I respect and admire those who fight every day for a better world, but to me, at this moment, I do nothing but mourn, suffer, laugh and rely on a group of players, who give us something magical.
"I am not able to think about the strategy and tactics. I have no space in the chest for much emotion. Only a heart that is allowed to stop working if Leo becomes the winner."
On the Copa Copacabana in Rio, it is a similar story. Music and passion are always in fashion, but instead of samba songs and yellow shirts, the tunes tell tales of Maradona and Messi; the colours in vogue sky blue and white. The Argentinian invaders have taken over the world's most famous beach.
Argentina's Ministry of Transport estimated around 42,000 people travelled to Rio on Friday and Saturday. Many others were already in Brazil, some even for the entire month, having driven thousands of kilometres, hitch-hiked, camped or slept on the sand.
A large percentage of those fans will watch the game on the beach at the Fan Fest in Copacabana, however, as tickets on the black market sell for as much as $20,000. Cheaper deals are available courtesy of disappointed Brazil fans, but not in Rio.
LIFE'S A BEACH | Argentina fans in Copacabana
"We had to be here," said Daniel Perez, a 34-year-old fan from Buenos Aires. "It's the chance to see Argentina win the World Cup - and it's right on our doorstep."
Two others, Martin Fernandez and Gaston Garcia, have spent the whole month in Brazil - albeit on a tight budget. Fernandez said: "We drove from Cordoba and it took us a couple days to get here. But Brazil's fun and the chance to see Argentina not only win a World Cup, but win it in Brazil... we weren't going to miss it."
Another supporter, Sebastian Lopez, says Messi and the Maracana together is a story comparable to Maradona and the Azteca in 1986. "Great players are consecrated in great stadiums and on great stages. There is no greater player and no greater stage..."
Germany are clear favourites for World Cup glory - Raul
By Andrew Wychrij
Jul 13, 2014 13:24:00
The former Spain striker thinks Die Mannschaft must be considered the likely winners against Argentina on Sunday, believing their lack of dependence on individuals is key
Spain legend Raul has backed Germany to overcome Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final, adding that the Europeans have "broken tradition" by becoming overwhelming favourites.
Die Mannschaft have looked in formidable form throughout the competition, culminating in their emphatic 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in the semi-finals last Tuesday.
And Raul says the overall quality of the Germans means they will likely win out over la Albiceleste, especially since they are not reliant on any one man.
Argentina, meanwhile, have been criticised for an overdependence on Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
"Normally, World Cup finals do not have clear favourites," the 37-year-old wrote in his column for the Times of India.
"This tradition has been broken in Brazil. Germany are the team to watch after their demolition of the hosts in the semi-final. They have waited for a long time for this and appear to be the best-prepared lot.
"The three-time champions are not dependent on individuals. Everybody in their midfield is capable of scoring. The defence is not impregnable but tight, and has conceded only four goals in six matches. [Manuel] Neuer has been an inspiration under the bar.
"For such an all-round team, it's difficult to lose momentum after a landmark win. Joachim Low's side knows when and how to peak. They started with a bang, went back to their normal style of winning industriously, and when they faced better teams, came at them hard."
Raul, who played in three World Cups for Spain between 1998 and 2006, also criticised Argentina for being dependent on Messi, stressing that other players will need to step up if they are to lift the trophy.
"Argentina are clearly dependent on Messi," the Real Madrid great added.
"After four straight Man-of-the-Match performances, he has been subdued in the last two outings. Knockout games are expected to be tougher and he has not enjoyed the freedom he got in the group stage.
"There is no doubt that Argentina need Messi at his best. They have worries up front with [Sergio] Aguero not fully fit and [Gonzalo] Higuain out of touch.
"The performance of [Javier] Mascherano will be as crucial. He was undoubtedly the best player in the semi-final and it was because of him that Argentina managed to keep a strong Dutch attack quiet."
The striker believes that his side have the character and attributes to make amends for their 2002 World Cup final defeat when they play Argentina on Sunday
Miroslav Klose believes that Germany's time has come to seal a fourth World Cup crown when they meet Argentina in the final in Rio.
The Nationalelf progressed to the showpiece in Brazil with a stunning 7-1 victory over the tournament hosts and are set to meet the Albiceleste in a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals.
The Germans last made the World Cup final in 2002, where they lost 2-0 to Brazil in Yokohama, and Klose feels his united team are ready to make up for that disappointment with victory over Alejandro Sabella's men.
"2002 was different," the 36-year-old said in an interview with the Times of India.
"We were a young team, no one expected us to reach the final. But in the end we did. Still it feels really awful to lose a final, so it's our time to win this one now.
"For us, team spirit is not an empty expression. No one bears any animosity. They are all very professional and mature, even if some of them are only 25 or 26, some even younger. We are a team, a close-knit unit. We win and lose together.
"We enjoyed the game against Brazil but we ticked it off after 24 hours. Sadly, it was only a semi-final, as in the next game against Argentina, we have to again play to the best of our abilities.
"I am just looking forward to an exciting game, which will be marked by tactics and a bit of trickery. A repeat of the Brazil game is not on the cards."
Klose became the World Cup's all-time top scorer after his goal against the Selecao, having now scored 16 times over the course of four tournaments, but he confessed that achievement would mean little if he finished as a runner-up once more in the tournament.
"It's a hugely emotional thing for me personally," the Lazio forward said of the record.
"But people who know me, know that my focus is already on Argentina -100 per cent!
"Yes, I have overtaken Ronaldo as the highest scorer in the World Cup but that is something to take on board another day. If we lose the final, my joy will be significantly dampened.
'If we do win the trophy, I can imagine that I will relax. There is a party beast somewhere even in me!"
Farewell & good riddance - if Scolari has any pride he will resign
Jul 12, 2014 23:23:00
Brazil suffered another embarrassing defeat as they lost 3-0 to the Netherlands in the third-place play-off in Brasilia on Saturday
By Greg Stobart in Brazil
Luiz Felipe Scolari claimed this week that Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany would not be repeated in 1000 years – but at one stage it felt like they might suffer a similar fate just four days after the most embarrassing game in the country’s history.
The hosts were spared the ignominy of another massacre but Saturday night’s 3-0 defeat to Netherlands in the third-place play-off game in Brasilia will surely be the final straw for their coach.
It comes to something when a three-goal defeat for the five-time world champions barely registers.
Scolari has insisted that he will not step down from his position in the wake of the World Cup and insisted with shocking arrogance that he should not be held responsible for this summer's failure.
He has also been backed by CBF president elect Marco Polo Del Nero, who told local newspapers: "For me, he stays."
Yet Del Nero might have had a change of heart when he heard the chorus of boos for Scolari when his face appeared on the big screen at the Mane Garrincha stadium as 70,000 people spoke for the 200 million in this country.
The jeers were even louder when the Brazil squad sheepishly saluted the fans after the final whistle. This was not how it was supposed to end.
Scolari spoke before the Netherlands defeat about restoring pride to the nation.
But if the 65-year-old had any pride himself, he would have stepped down immediately after the Germany catastrophe in Belo Horizonte.
Felipao is tainting his reputation by the day as he clings on to his job and will now be remembered as the man who brought Brazilian football to its nadir, rather than the coach who led them to World Cup glory in 2002.
From leaving the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Moura out of the 23-man squad, to persisting with Paulinho for far too long, to sending out sides with no semblance of a gameplan other than to give the ball to Neymar; everything has unravelled for Scolari over the last month.
Scolari has reiterated time and again that the semi-final was a freak, unlucky result but he lost one of his excuses within two minutes on Saturday night.
Brazil, we were told, would never have been destroyed by the Germans so brutally had captain Thiago Silva not been suspended.
But the centre-back lost Arjen Robben in the opening exchanges, dragged back the Netherlands winger and conceded a penalty. Silva was fortunate that the referee was feeling sympathetic for the Selecao and chose only to book him, when it was clearly a red card offence.
Robin van Persie scored from the penalty spot and 14 minutes later the scoreline was doubled after more playground defending.
David Luiz, who earler in the summer signed for Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth up to €50m – making him the most expensive defender in history – tried to head clear in the penalty box but instead perfectly presented the ball for Daley Blind to score.
After his nightmare performance against Germany and his teary post-match breakdown, you have to wonder how – if at all – Luiz will be able to recover from the events of the past week.
The same could be said for his new club team-mate Silva, who was caught completely flat-footed as Georginio Wijnaldum steered in the third in added time.
Or for Fernandinho. The Manchester City midfielder had another evening to forgot after his shambolic performance against Germany and never got to grips with the Holland midfielders.
The Brazil squad was clearly crushed by the back injury sustained by Neymar in the quarter-final victory over Colombia that ruled him out for the rest of the tournament.
But nobody here will allow Scolari to use the Neymar excuse to wriggle out of taking responsibility.
Scolari was re-hired by Brazil in 2012 solely to win this year’s World Cup.
He failed and will now, surely, lose his job. And while Brazilian tears have been flowing ever since Tuesday night’s semi-final, none will be shed for Scolari.
Germany v Argentina, World Cup final 2014: How to stop Lionel Messi
Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos will aim to smother the areas where the little maestro operates and then break with pace to have a say of their own
Now or never: If Lionel Messi cannot lead his country to World Cup victory he will never be bracketed with Diego Maradona. That harsh reality brings enormous pressure Photo: AFP
By Alan Smith
9:49PM BST 12 Jul 2014
The Germany camp insist they have a plan. They have sat down to discuss the threat of Lionel Messi and come up with a way to try to stop him. So what will it be? And more to the point from Argentina’s perspective, how will Alejandro Sabella’s team make sure their little maestro influences the game in the areas they want?
On the first point, I think we can safely discount man-marking. Nigel de Jong, admittedly, did it effectively for Holland until chronic fatigue forced a withdrawal. Louis van Gaal could therefore claim justification for going out of his way to shackle Messi.
But it is different for Germany. For a start, Joachim Löw does not boast a player quite like De Jong, someone ideally suited to this specific role.
Yes, he could ask, say, Sami Khedira to follow Messi around but that would severely detract from the midfielder’s game. Khedira has far too many attacking qualities to restrict him this way. Bastian Schweinsteiger is a slightly different matter but, again, I cannot see him being tied to this one-dimensional role.
So when Germany say they have a plan, I think it probably entails doing what they have been doing all along – pushing up and squeezing the space to let Manuel Neuer sweep up behind.
By doing this, they will hope to deny the danger man time. Yes, that will mean Schweinsteiger, as the deepest lying midfielder, often being the one to close down and try to get a foot in.
Equally, though, Khedira and Toni Kroos will be aware of the importance of helping out by funnelling back to cover those pockets either side of Messi. In effect, they will want to smother the areas where the little man operates and then break with pace to have a say of their own.
As for Argentina, they can only hope that their talisman is physically capable of going again after looking absolutely shattered in that draining semi-final encounter with Holland. Because if Messi does not have that vital spring in his legs to accelerate away from opponents, he loses so much of his threat.
Not only that, the player himself will be only too aware of his place in history. In other words, if he cannot lead his country to World Cup victory he will never be bracketed with Diego Maradona. That harsh reality brings enormous pressure.
At 26, it is probably now or never for the multiple Ballon d’Or winner. Can he therefore find the energy to go one last time? If he cannot, Germany’s collective zest and quality should win the day.
Germany 1-0 Argentina (AET): Die Mannschaft crowned world champions
Jul 13, 2014 22:36:00
Mario Gotze's goal in the second half of extra-time was enough to separate the two teams and give Joachim Low's men the world crown
Mario Gotze's 113th-minute volley fired Germany to World Cup glory with a 1-0 win over Argentina at the Maracana.
The tournament's outstanding team failed to repeat the fluency and brilliance of their 7-1 semi-final romp against Brazil, but Joachim Low's team found one more sumptuous moment during the second half of extra time.
Bayern Munich playmaker Gotze, on as an 88th-minute replacement for World Cup record goalscorer Miroslav Klose, chested down Andre Schurrle's floated left-wing cross at the near post to superbly steer home from six yards.
It was the first time Argentina had found themselves behind in the competition and it came as a bitter pill to swallow after Alejandro Sabella's men had created the better chances in normal time.
Gonzalo Higuain passed up a glorious opportunity midway though the first half and the Argentina striker also had a first-half effort correctly ruled out for offside.
Germany defender Benedikt Howedes then headed against the post on the stroke of the interval and, after the break, passions threatened to boil over in what was an understandably feisty encounter.
Lionel Messi fired agonisingly wide shortly after the restart, while Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was lucky not to be punished for clattering a knee into Higuain's face as the striker ran through on goal.
Neuer's opposite number, Sergio Romero, denied Schurrle inside the first minute of extra time, while fellow substitute Rodrigo Palacio fluffed his lines at the other end before Gotze sealed Germany's fourth World Cup triumph.
The newly crowned champions were forced into an 11th-hour change after influential midfielder Sami Khedira suffered the heartbreak of sustaining a calf strain during the warm-up.
Christoph Kramer came in for the Real Madrid man, despite having only played 12 minutes during the tournament and being absent from Low's provisional 30-man squad before replacing Andre Hahn.
Toni Kroos drilled an early free-kick into the defensive wall, prompting an Argentina break on which Ezequiel Lavezzi shot across the face of goal.
Veteran Germany striker Klose was then muscled away from Philipp Lahm's inviting 13th-minute cross by Martin Demichelis as Low's men settled into an ominous rhythm, although Ezequiel Garay's shuddering shoulder charge into Kramer's face that ultimately cut short the 23-year-old's fairytale appearance showed Argentina were not ready to be dictated to.
The South Americans should have taken the lead in the 21st minute, Higuain pulling his shot wastefully wide after Kroos' ill-judged header back sold Germany's defence horribly short.
Nine minutes later, the Napoli star thought he had atoned, sweeping home Lavezzi's low cross, only to see his wild and lengthy celebrations denied by an offside flag.
Schurrle, on for the stricken Kramer, drew a sharp save from Romero, while Messi forced Jerome Boateng to hack his cross-shot out of the goalmouth after racing down the right.
Howedes - somewhat fortunate to have only been booked for a reckless lunge on Pablo Zabaleta earlier in the half - then thudded Kroos' stoppage-time corner against the post to conclude an eventful opening period.
Messi's big moment looked to have arrived two minutes into the second half but the Barcelona superstar shot past the far post on the end of Lucas Biglia's measured throughball, with Neuer beaten.
An Argentina attack bolstered by Sergio Aguero's half-time introduction for Lavezzi continued to give Germany's high defensive line some nervy moments, and Neuer - in full-on 'sweeper keeper' mode - was on the wrong side of robust in clattering through Higuain in the 57th minute as he sought to get on the end of Zabaleta's raking ball.
Referee Nicola Rizzoli awarded a German free-kick amid Argentine bemusement.
Bookings in quick succession for Javier Mascherano and Aguero hinted at bubbling frustration as the game entered its final quarter and Germany ended the 90 minutes back on the front foot, as Kroos drilled the ball past the post from 18 yards.
Schurrle almost provided an explosive start to extra time as Romero stood firm and the Argentina counter-attack was looking increasingly potent when Aguero dragged a shot off target.
In the 97th-minute, Palacio evaded the attentions of Germany's defence but his touch over Neuer was far too heavy.
And it was an error that Argentina would deeply regret, as Gotze found a brilliant finish with seven minutes left that was a fitting way to win the showpiece as a European nation secured a first World Cup win on South American soil.
