by Tom Allen
Argentina have breezed into the last eight in South Africa and now face a
youthful German side that is currently riding the crest of a wave.
Expectations were relatively low for these two giants of World Cup football
heading into the finals, there were doubts about Diego Maradona's tactical nous
along with Germany's overall ability, but a string of impressive displays has
seen them come right into he reckoning and both will now fancy their chances of
going all the way given Brazil's demise.
Argentina arrive in the quarter-finals thanks to three comfortable Group B
wins and then a 3-1 victory over Mexico in the last 16 and crucially have all
their key men firing.
There was never much doubt that Lionel Messi would be one of the stars at
World Cup 2010 and, even though the Argentine playmaker is yet to get on the
score sheet, remarkably, his contribution has been significant.
Messi, playing alongside Carlos Tevez, behind Gonzalo Higuain, has been the
player of the tournament to date and it will be interesting to see how Germany
cope with the diminutive playmaker.
Higuain, with four goals to his name so far, has led the line superbly for
Maradona's men but behind a brilliant attacking trio there are still concerns
for the 1986 winners defensively and their opponents will think they can cause
them problems.
With both teams undoubtedly better on the front foot, this looks set to be a
cracker and Germany will once again look to Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller for
inspiration.
That pair, so effective in ripping England to shreds in the second round,
have come of age in South Africa and the latter was on target twice against the
Three Lions in that 4-1 romp on Sunday.
With Joachim Low set to match Maradona in playing 4-2-3-1, the fear for the
neutral is that both sides could cancel each other out but surely there is too
much talent on display for that to occur and this could be the game that defines
World Cup 2010.
There is yet to have been a real thriller, Italy's late comeback effort in
vein against Slovakia was probably as close as we've come, but I'd be
disappointed if this didn't live up to pre-game expectations and it's hard to
see both teams not getting on the score sheet.
Argentina will have their supporters at the 5/4 available with 888sport, they
certainly have the better individuals, but the 4/5 with
BlueSq.com about both sides netting will do for me and this could just be
the match when Lionel Messi breaks his World Cup 2010 goal scoring duck.
2pts Back Both Sides to Score (Argentina vs. Germany) @ 4/5 (BlueSq.com)
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