Germany are better at football than Argentina
“Football is a game you play with your brain”
Johan Cruyff
At the end Diego Maradona’s Argentina cut sad figures. The victims of a Germany performance which combined discipline and strategy, with style ruthlessness and panache that, quite frankly, had world champions written all over it. They outnumbered and overpowered Argentina. Schweinsteiger carried the Germans forward with pace and skill and the incisive precision of their overall play proved as victorious as it was thrilling to watch. While watching I couldn’t help wondering how much difference a holding midfielder with the guile of Cambiasso would have made. Argentina moved forward and tried to impose their skill on the game with varying degrees of success, but rarely looked likely to break down the German power. And when you consider the pandemonium surrounding the future writers… Ronaldo, Rooney, Messi and Robinho, bear in mind that with the minimum of fuss, Miroslav Klose got his 100th cap and 52nd goal for his national team and has now scored more World Cup Finals goals than Pele. They reached yet another semi final as yet again they weren’t widely fancied at the start of the competition. This may not be their time, perhaps 2012 will see them lifting a trophy BUT remember this Germany team is so young they could play at this level for another two World Cups. Their time will surely come.
So Spain in the semis. Thursday morning will be the biggest football match in Spanish history. The habitual stage fright that has dogged them for so long has been well and truly shed. They didn’t play with the swagger they are capable of showing but a wins a win. They responded well to the exhausting passage of play when the penalties were taken and resilience saw them through. To demonstrate that in a successful campaign everyone plays a part Casillas late double save was as much a part of their victory as Villa’s goal. That save denied Paraguay a draw they would have deserved. In the end Paraguay’s lack of creativity proved costly but overall they can reflect on a splendid tournament. They have earned the acclaim they will receive on arriving home. Spain close in on what could prove to be a titanic struggle with Germany. If Spain are at their best Germany won’t be able to get the ball off them. But Germany’s strategic brilliance is a match for anyone. Another war of attrition and a game for thinkers. But the German knowledge that their penalty shootout technique and experience is far greater surely gives them an edge. Knowing that if you are taken to the absolute end you have an ability superior to that of your opponents must provide a psychological advantage.
The noticable thing about both South American powerhouses is the first time they faced serious pressure they crumbled completely. Neither side had a plan B. Particularly strange that Brazil with Dunga’s studious organisational approach were totally undone when facing a side with the armory to attack them.
So despite the excitement of all the South American sides reaching the knockout stage we reach the final four with one remaining. Pleasing to see a nation like Uruguay, who are as football mad as anywhere in the region, achieve something special. Often there is an outsider in the semis and this time it’s Uruguay but they have earned the right to be there. As for the aftermath of the Suarez red card, well, cheats didn’t prosper…he was red carded and a penalty awarded. Some have even suggested a goal should have been awarded. How can a goal be awarded if the ball hasn’t gone into the goal? If Gyan had scored the penalty it would have all been forgotten. Although, like I said in my previous post, I still think he could have headed it away!!
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