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PREVIEW
The two best teams have made it to the World cup final, which should be more competitive than Germany's 7-1 thrashing of Brazil and more compelling than Argentina's win in penalties over the Netherlands.
Argentina came into the tournament with a stacked team primed to score a lot of goals. But injuries to Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria have left Lionel Messi to shoulder much of the load. In the semis, Messi looked worn down. But he needs only one more performance at the end of a long and trying season to fill the only void left on his resume.
Germany is looking to validate a decade-long overhaul of its football association that produced this generation of technically gifted players.
Neither team has suffered defeat in the competition, but the two have taken different paths to the Maracana.
Germany's backline looked vulnerable early in the group stage but has improved since Philipp Lahm's return to the back-four. Miroslav Klose's inclusion in the starting lineup has spurred an attack that looks to be peaking at the right time.
Argentina's defense -- and some timely Messi magic -- has carried the Albiceleste through the tournament. Argentina hasn't hit its stride offensively. And with di Maria sidelined and Aguero not fully fit, it's not likely that it will. Barring a master-class performance from Messi, Argentina will need to play another defensive game to compete with the Germans, who have knocked them out the last two World Cups.
PREDICTION
GERMANY 3 - ARGENTINA 1
Germany has been the tournament's best team and is peaking at the right time. Argentina is hobbling into the final, struggling to score goals. The Albiceleste's midfield has held strong throughout the tournament, but Germany has too many weapons to hold down if Argentina's attack is nonexistent once again. Even with Messi, Argentina doesn't have what it takes to match Germany's fire power.
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