The Germans are renowned for their engineering. Their automobile industry is the envy of the whole world. When it comes to automobiles, the term engine is a pivotal term and the word efficiency is derived from the word engine. The German football team has also derived the same efficiency from the Benzs and the Wolfswagens.

The Germans are known for their big game mentality and their never say die attitude. Coupled with an exciting blend of players of the ilk of Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels and the experience of Bastian Schweinsteiger and the evergreen predatory instincts of Miroslav Klose the Germans have all the ingredients of a true German car. Once it starts it goes on and on and on.

They started the world cup with a 4-0 demolition of Portugal. While the following results lacked the spark and guile and relied more on efficiency, the semifinal vs Brazil showed the devastating burst of speed and acceleration a German car can provide. Within half and hour, the Germans were not only on their way to Rio, but they were contemplating not to inflict more misery on the hosts as Mats Hummels later claimed.

While Argentina lack the efficiency of the German side, and have been very disjointed and lucky on few occasions , it has something which even the finest German cars and the best German beer cant provide. They have Lionel Messi. The little genius had an on-off relationship with the Argentine supporters who even questioned the “Argentine” within him, but come kick off on Sunday, they will be pinning all their hopes on him.

Argentina have lacked a fluency in the world cup. It has not helped matters that their star players Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria have been blighted with poor form and injuries. Also the tactics of coach Alejandro Sabella have been repeatedly questioned, not least by Messi himself. All these problems aside the genius of Messi, the determination of Javier Mascherano so so evident in the semifinals and the urge to upset their fierce and great neighbours at their home has taken them to the finals.

South America  had dreamed of a Brazil-Argentina final at the iconic Maracana. The dream was intact till Brazil’s brain fade and self infliction. But Argentina wont mind. They had the rub of the draw and were fancied to reach the finals. It presents a perfect stage for Messi to stake his claim among the true icons of the game and establish him alongside Diego Maradona in the Argentine folkfore. The world’s best player playing in the biggest stage of football is a tantalising prospect indeed.

Prediction- Germany have a better team than Argentina. Their golden generation has been knocking at the doors of success missing by a few notches, and no matter what happens on Sunday they have come of age. Their pedigree also makes them favourites. But this is the World Cup final. No amount of history and form can determine the result. It all comes down to those 90 minutes(or 120 minutes). It can all come down to the nerve wrecking penalty shootout. It can all come down to a moment of Messi magic, which Germany are well aware of.

-Ricky Jana [Ricky is a Football Analyst with Sportz Cosmos. You can reach him at the gmail id: sportzcosmos]