The World Cup 2014 Final will be contested by Germany and Argentina, after two of the most contrasting games of the tournament saw each of the victors progress to their third meeting in the centrepiece of the tournament.
While the Germans blitzed the Brazilians, as described in great detail in my last piece, the other semi between Argentina and Holland was always going to be on a hiding to nothing in comparison. Nothing was exactly what viewers got for 120 minutes, as defences prevailed in sending the game to the spot kick lottery.
With all of the pre match chat centred on how effective Arjen Robben and Lionel Messi would be for their nations, the reality was slightly disappointing. Messi was a peripheral figure for the majority of the match, doubled up on whenever he got the ball, and man marked by de Jong as advised by Louis van Gaal. After his Krul decision in the quarters, it was another plan that proved its worth for two hours from the new Manchester United gaffer.
However, his tactic of give the ball to Robben and see what happens bore little fruit. There is no doubting that Robben is gifted and pacey and tricky and other positive attacking adjectives, but by Cruyff is he ball greedy.
Having read Andrea Pirlo's book last week and now being eight or nine chapters deep in Zlatan's autobiography, it's clear that they have got to where they are through being very possessive in possession. Pirlo was unliked by his childhood team mates for it to the point where he cried on the park, but he soon brushed it off to become the seventh best player in the world one year. Ibrahimovic was more assertive with his detractors, nicking their bikes and dropping the head on them.
I've seen it with players that I grew up with as well, those who have the individual talent and know it, but don't have the vision, confidence or lack of ego to bring others in to the game. That's likely why no one from my year at school has gone on to any sort of footballing success. The one lad who has made it to the SPL from my time at Lanark Grammar, wasn't even the best player in his year, but he's obviously worked to get himself there, for which he must be commended.
Having played with and against him a few times at PE and outside of school, he was greedy, he was arrogant and was a little hot headed, making him a nightmare to endure during a game, whichever side you were on. He'll not be playing at a World Cup anytime soon, but he has made a career where others better suited, at school at least, were more likely to.
It seems that looking out for number one early in your career can propel you to great, or relatively great things, but for those that have made it to the top of their game without being greedy, without being a pirla, having to continue to play with those types of guys in your twenties and thirties must be so frustrating.
This whole World Cup, Robben has darted and danced down the flanks, cutting in and either taking a shot or taking a dive as he's tried to make things happen for his side. Granted, he took his goals brilliantly versus Spain in the Dutch opener, but since the drubbing they handed the Spaniards, he and the rest of his team haven't quite hit the same heights.
There's an argument that as a side who were written off by everyone in their home country before the first ball was kicked, they have peaked too soon with their demolition of the former World champions. With forwards of the quality of van Persie and Huntelaar, as well as Robben, the experienced Wesley Sneijder's and Dirk Kuyt, and the young blood like Depay, Wijnalden and de Vrij, the squad, on paper, would have had many thinking that the semi wasn't too much of a stretch for them.
However, they have fallen short of the final, in my view, partly due to the greed of Robben. Whether it was the game plan or Robben taking too much in himself over the piece, his individual play has failed to create enough opportunities for the rest of his side. It's almost the other side of the Fred argument I referenced in my last blog. Fred has been pilloried for being poor all tournament, but when you look at the service he has had, he's only been able to play with the toys he's been given.
If they were both in the same side, he'd have been gifted nothing from Robben at all. With the fore mentioned players all trooping into and around the box every time the Bayern man went forward, it seemed like wasted energy, as he wouldn't get the head up to pick the pass. Even when he did, it would only be to ensure he got the ball back.
A few whipped balls in, or earlier releases, and he could have assisted his fellow forwards to goals, conserving energy by not needing to play the extra thirty minutes and penalties. It was sort of fitting that the best chance for the game to be won fell to him, but too much dallying saw Mascherano make a wonderful block at the death.
It was a block that Mascherano probably shouldn't have been allowed to make after taking a head knock that left him woozy in the first half. With concussions becoming an ever increasing subject of debate throughout sport, the damage caused might not necessarily be fully apparent at the moment of impact. He certainly didn't look OK when he staggered to the ground after his mid air collision, but if anything, it spurred him on to a solid night for the Argentinians.
He likely wasn't the only one nursing a sore head on Thursday morning though, as Argentina's spot kick win sent them through to the final. While Robben huffed and puffed for Holland, Messi strolled through the game, but not in the way that most of us are accustomed to. The defensive job done on him nullified his game, stifling the little genius from doing anything really of note.
However, his one major contribution, scoring his side's opening penalty after Romero had saved Ron Vlaar's effort, gave Argentina the numerical and psychological advantage after the first round. When Maxi Rodriguez blast the winner in off the weak elbows of Jasper Cillesen, the joy on little Leo's face was magnificent. Having been the man to bail his side out during this whole tournament, he now has the chance to lift, nay captain his side to, the World Cup.
He just needs to have that one perfect performance, that one moment of magic.
He's been able to up his game even higher in domestic and European club matches of high importance, but Sunday's game will be a different beast altogether. While the Germans are a well oiled machine unit, the weight of Argentine expectancy will all be on Messi. Much like with Ronaldo at France 98, focus will be pulled to the multiple World Player of the Year.
Having won everything with Barcelona, and having done so in style on each occasion, he needs to translate that focus, that form and that fervour to the biggest stage of them all. Croatians Ronaldo may have won the Champions League and the Ballon D'Or, but in their ongoing battle for supremacy, the World Cup would trump his Portuguese nemesis unquestionably.
He's capable of it, and if the Germans allow him any space or time on the ball, you wouldn't bet against him putting in the most memorable shift of his career and lifting the trophy on Sunday night.
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