Daily News writers predict the World Cup finale
Despite star power of Lionel Messi, Daily News writers unanimous in picking Germany in World Cup final.
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-pmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/ZXLYUAKAFBDZPKUI63JSF2LOSY.jpg)
John Smallwood
THE MANNER in which Germany dismantled Brazil in the World Cup semifinals was an inexplicable fluke; however, the victory stands on its merits.
All the teams at Brazil 2014 had flaws, but Germany has the fewest. That the Germans can field seven players from world-power Bayern Munich without losing any quality is a huge advantage for cohesive play.
Despite a strike force of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero, Argentina has scored only two goals in three elimination games.
Germany will become the first team from Europe to win a World Cup in South America.
The pick: Germany, 3-1
Jake Kaplan
ARGENTINA'S back line won't perform as poorly as Brazil's did on Tuesday, but will it defend well enough to win? Germany is firing on all cylinders and riding a wave of momentum from its dominating semifinal victory, while Argentina needed penalty kicks to advance. Sure, Lionel Messi's presence makes Argentina's attack much more intimidating than Brazil's, minus Neymar, but in the battle of "Messi vs. The Machine," the latter prevails.
The pick: Germany, 3-1
Andrew Albert
THERE IS NO way the Argentines allow Germany to walk all over them as Brazil did. Argentina's back line is in much better shape than Brazil's was, and did a good job against a strong Netherlands attacking core.
The Netherlands did a good job of limiting Lionel Messi's chances in the semifinals, which is what Germany must do to hoist the trophy. If Germany's back line can lock up Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, it will win its first World Cup since 1990.
The pick: Germany, 3-2