(Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images)ĭancers perform during the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 13, 2014. (Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images)įormer Brazilian footballer Pele (R) poses with fans during a closing ceremony ahead of the final football match between Germany and Argentina for the FIFA World Cup at The Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 13, 2014. (Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images)īrazilian singer Ivete Sangalo waves to fans during the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 13, 2014. German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma attend the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 13, 2014.
(Nelson Almeida/AFP/Getty Images)Ī performer dances during the 2014 World Cup closing ceremony at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro July 13, 2014. Mexican musician Carlos Santana (C) and Haitian-US musician Wyclef Jean (L) perform during the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 13, 2014. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)ĭrummers perform during the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 13, 2014. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)īarbadian singer Rhianna takes her seat during a closing ceremony ahead of the final football match between Germany and Argentina for the FIFA World Cup at The Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 13, 2014. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)Ī dancer performs during the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on Jin Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Darren Staples/Reuters)Ĭolombian singer Shakira (2L) performs during the closing ceremony prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 13, 2014. He'll be racking up the tackles and fouls in no time.Dancers perform during the 2014 World Cup closing ceremony at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro July 13, 2014. The nightmare starts with Kroos' clever positioning, continues with Khedira's physical running and ends with Mueller slotting home. Germany's midfield manipulation and clever overloading of channels and zones have won them their last two games, and where Yohan Cabaye and Luiz Gustavo failed, Mascherano will be required to succeed. Spare a thought for Mascherano ahead of this game, as he is set to lock horns with Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira and Thomas Mueller near single-handedly in the final. "We need to play the perfect match," manager Alejandro Sabella told reporters ahead of the game, per. Javier Mascherano will be central to any hopes of containment. He needs it, bless him, as he's been misfiring all tournament long.Įzequiel Garay and Martin Demichelis have struck a chord together in central defence, so Federico Fernandez will likely sit out.
relieve focus on Lionel Messi-teams have been keying on him even more so while Di Maria has been out-and free up some space for Gonzalo Higuain to work in.