Germany versus Argentina: 10 World Cup facts
For the third time, Germany and Argentina will compete to become world champions. Here are the 10 things you should know about the team's World Cup history before Sunday's final.
When "El Diego" was king
This Sunday, for the third time, Germany and Argentina will face-off against each other to become world champions. Back in 1986, Diego Maradona dominated the World Cup final between Argentina and West Germany. Despite the 'Hand of God' incident, he was also voted the player of the '86 tournament for his five goals. This photo after Argentina's win in the final is one of his most iconic photos.
Buchwald saves the day
In 1990 it was a different story. West Germany again played Argentina in the World Cup final, this time in Rome. German defender Guido Buchwald (left) basically decided the game. He was the man tasked with marking Maradona. Buchwald stuck to the Argentine like glue all game and didn't let him score.
Brehme secures Germany win
West Germany's 1990 World Cup win came through the narrowest of margins - and the coolest of penalty kicks. Defender Andreas Brehme stepped up with five minutes of normal time remaining to convert the penalty past Argentine keeper Goycochea. It was Germany's third World Cup win after 1954 in Switzerland and 1974 in West Germany.
Lowest ebb for Maradona
"El Diego" failed to get Argentina to their second title in 1990 and began to his lose his discipline in the closing stages of the game. The little Argentine had a frustrating final in Rome and was cautioned by the Referee after 87 minutes.
Jens Lehmann: Penalty hero
In more recent times, Germany hosted Argentina at the 2006 World Cup, with Jens Lehmann taking the acclaim for a match-winning performance, as the game went to penalties. Lehmann had done his planning, the keeper had notes to look at in the break, while he had Oliver Kahn, the German legend, for encouragement on the bench. The notes were later auctioned for one million euros.
Four stars in South Africa
Germany produced a memorable performance against the Argentines at the 2010 World Cup quarterfinals. Thomas Müller netted the first, before Miroslav Klose hit a double and Arne Friedrich scored a rare goal. Diego Maradona, the coach of Argentina at the time, was left with another sour taste of defeat against the DFB-team.
Alejandro Sabella versus Joachim Löw
This time around, Joachim Löw's coaching prowess is getting plenty of praise: one German newspaper even urged parents to name their newborns after the Germany coach. Löw's Argentine counterpart Alejandro Sabella lacks the eccentricity of Maradona, but has brought a new steel to the South Americans.
Magic Müller
No player has ever won the Golden Boot in two successive World Cup tournaments. Thomas Müller stands on the brink of doing so, should he score against Argentina in the final. One more goal from him would mean he would draw level with James Rodriguez of Colombia at the top of the scorer's tally. Müller won the 2010 World Cup Golden Boot with five strikes.
Messi's moment?
Argentine fans are only now beginning to adore Lionel Messi as their own, because the Rosario-born ace spent almost all of his teenage years in Barcelona. Messi's four goals in the tournament so far have played a major role in getting Argentina to the final in Rio.
Will Brazil back the Germans?
Although Brazilian star Neymar has admitted he'll be cheering on his friend Lionel Messi in the final, not all Brazilians will support Argentina on Sunday. The two countries have a strong rivalry and many Brazilians have already committed their 90-minute allegiance to Germany. Brazil's 7-1 humiliation in the semifinals at the hands of Germany hasn't dampened their spirits, it seems.