2014 World Cup

[DGuller]

Definitely one of the better finals in recent memory.

Yes, but to a large extent it was saved by Babyface Neckbeard's goal.

[Warspite]

A lot of very poor punditry here saying that Germany is a great team without stand-out individuals, but I'm struggling to think which of Lahm, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Mueller, Oezil, Kroos, Neuer and Goetze wouldn't walk into any club side in the world?

Germany won the WC because it blended fantastic individual talent with a team ethos.

The narrative about Argentina is also lazy - Messi underperformed, and that's all we are hearing about, but the team progressed because of the excellent performances of Mascherano and Di Maria, among others, who are themselves also world-class players.

[Syt]

For me, Mascherano and Romero were the best players of Argentina.

[derspiess]

Rihanna 

Seriously?  Elbows too pointy or something?

I'm not much of a fan, either.  Used to like her before the tattoos & piercings and getting back together with the dude who smashed her face.

So anyway the German team had to drink Budweiser in the locker room?  Ouch.

[derspiess]

For me, Mascherano and Romero were the best players of Argentina.

Di Maria certainly would have made an impact had he been healthy.

[Maladict]

Rihanna 

Seriously?  Elbows too pointy or something?

I'm not much of a fan, either.  Used to like her before the tattoos & piercings and getting back together with the dude who smashed her face.

This, and being generally annoying. Terrible music, too.

[Syt]

For me, Mascherano and Romero were the best players of Argentina.

Di Maria certainly would have made an impact had he been healthy.

Oh, definitely.

You may have noticed the German players holding up the jersey of Reus during the ceremony yesterday - he's one of Germany's key players but was injured shortly before the tournament.

[derspiess]

Germany seemed to have a lot more depth, though.

[derspiess]

If I'm reading it right, Cristina said she didn't bother watching the game yesterday.  Wow. 

http://canchallena.lanacion.com.ar/1709823-estoy-orgullosa-por-como-defendieron-los-colores-dijo-la-presidenta-aunque-admitio-que-no-miro-ningun-partido

[Warspite]

For me, Mascherano and Romero were the best players of Argentina.

Di Maria certainly would have made an impact had he been healthy.

I think he was Argentina's most important player - the swift transition from defence to attack that their counter-attacking style needed was predicated on an in-form Di Maria. Often your most important player is not your best player.

[Warspite]

Germany seemed to have a lot more depth, though.

In terms of depth, I think Germany and Belgium had the most. You look at the players they could bring on and it is disgusting. The difference, however, is that the Germans have a far more effective team unit. Belgium look like a really immature team to me.

[crazy canuck]

A lot of very poor punditry here saying that Germany is a great team without stand-out individuals, but I'm struggling to think which of Lahm, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Mueller, Oezil, Kroos, Neuer and Goetze wouldn't walk into any club side in the world?

Germany won the WC because it blended fantastic individual talent with a team ethos.

The narrative about Argentina is also lazy - Messi underperformed, and that's all we are hearing about, but the team progressed because of the excellent performances of Mascherano and Di Maria, among others, who are themselves also world-class players.

I dont watch soccer much but to me Lahm and Schweinsteiger really stood out as the class of the field in this tournament.  The strikers are flashy and get a lot of the praise but Lahm and Schweinsteiger seemed to control the play and set everything up.  On top of all that Schweinsteiger was indestructable in the Final.  I would have given the award to him instead of Messi.

[derspiess]

Belgium look like a really immature team to me.

Especially that De Bruyne kid, who looks like a 12 year old Prince Harry.

[garbon]

Belgium look like a really immature team to me.

Especially that De Bruyne kid, who looks like a 12 year old Prince Harry.

Well maybe how 12 year olds are typically portrayed on tv.

[derspiess]

I tripped garbon's "Prince Harry" alert