The World Cup 2014 final sees Germany face Argentina for the sixth time at the tournament and the third time in the final.
Die Mannschaft lost 3-2 to the Albiceleste in 1986 but gained revenge four years later beating Argentina, who were reduced to nine men, 1-0 at Italia 1990.
That victory 24 years ago at Stadio Olimpico in Rome was the last time Germany claimed a trophy, and after reaching at least the semi-finals of their last four major international tournaments without winning any, the now united country looks ready to break that trend.
Germany has improved as the tournament progressed with coach Joachim Loew pragmatically alternating between counterattacking and possession to find the balance between fluidity and solidity.
Thanks to the versatility of Philipp Lahm, Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos the coach has employed multiple approaches on way to the final, with the decision to move Lahm permanently from midfield into the back four after the round of 16 finally allowing the German tactician to continue playing a high defensive line without leaving his central defenders exposed against better opposition.
However the accommodation of more and more midfield players to replicate the success of the Bayern Munich possession game laid out by Louis van Gaal from 2009 to 2011 has been central with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Khedira, both now fully recovered from injury, forming a formidable partnership together with the lynch pin Kroos.
Germany have completed significantly more passes per game in the final third of the pitch (129.5 on average) than any other side at the World Cup and there has been no lack of incisiveness and effectiveness in retaining the ball in front of goal in Brazil.
That, and a 7-1 semi-final win over the hosts in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday has established Loew’s side as favourites to claim a fourth World Cup at the Maracana on Sunday.
Speaking after the match Loew and Kroos insisted that there had been no exultation within the squad and most of Germany’s newspapers sports pages are also trying to dampen expectations, warning that the match against Argentina will most likely be tense and tight, and nothing like that historic goalfest against the Selecao.
Alejandro Sabella’s side have reached the final having not conceded a single goal in the knockout stage and are unlikely to make the same defensive mistakes as their South American neighbours, but Germany offer the toughest test that they have faced so far in the competition.
Loew’s starting eleven is made up of numerous gifted passers who are perfect for trying to work the ball into the box for Miroslav Klose and Thomas Muller against a well-organised team that defends as a deep unit.
68 per cent of Germany’s attempts at goal having come from inside the penalty box, and with the line being led by the Lazio forward, who has scored all 16 of his record-breaking World Cup goals from inside the area, they have the perfect apex to an exceptional attack that can end the 24-year wait for a fourth World Cup triumph.
