GN Soccer Magazine July 2014 Edition | Page 4

4 Argentina & Germany’s Run To The World Cup Final Both Germany and Argentina had thrilling runs to the World Cup final — and both were favorites the whole way. Coming in as the No. 2 ranked team in the world, Germany performed exactly as they were expected to the entire tournament. They won the Group of Death like they were supposed to before winning knockout matches against Algeria, France, and Brazil. That last win against Brazil in the semifinals was one of the most impressive displays of dominance the World Cup has ever seen — Die Mannschaft scored five goals in 29 minutes and ended up winning 7-1. And did we mention they did all that while in Brazil!? Argentina’s trip to the final was just as exciting, thanks in large part to Lionel Messi. The greatest in the world scored four goals in the team’s first three games, leading them to a perfect record in the group stage. They then won nail-biters against Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands to jump into big game. After an incredible month of soccer, we’re SO sad to see the World Cup end. It had so many memorable moments — Messi’s strikes, Team USA’s run, that German beatdown — and it hurts to think that we have to wait another four years until this happens again.