'Germans ready to make history'

Germany's coach Joachim Loew gives a press conference at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 12, 2014, on the eve of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match Germany vs Argentina. AFP
Germany's coach Joachim Loew gives a press conference at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 12, 2014, on the eve of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match Germany vs Argentina. AFP

Joachim Loew says Germany is ready to make history by winning Sunday's final to become the first European side to win the World Cup in the Americas.

The Germans take on Argentina in the final at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium with Loew hoping he and his team can deliver the nation's fourth world title.

"Regardless of what has happened in the past, it is a matter of winning now and we know we can write history, because Latin American sides have been able to dominate on home soil," Loew said.

"And why not? It would be an extra joy for us if we were able to win the title on South American soil."

This is the sixth time Germany will meet Argentina at the World Cup and both sides are tied at 1-1 in terms of title matches. 

'This team isn't just about Messi,' Loew says Germany coach Joachim Loew says his side's opponents in Sunday's World Cup final provide much more danger than four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi.  'Argentina have been very strong in this tournament, they are much better, more compact and organised in defence than in 2010 (when Germany beat them 4-0 in the quarter-finals),' Loew said.  'This team isn't just about (Lionel) Messi, if you believe that you're making a mistake.  'There are other fantastic attackers like Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria, while Messi can determine a match, so it will be a gripping final.  'It will be very combative, they will try to keep the ball and the two teams will face off at the same level.'
'This team isn't just about Messi,' Loew says Germany coach Joachim Loew says his side's opponents in Sunday's World Cup final provide much more danger than four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi. 'Argentina have been very strong in this tournament, they are much better, more compact and organised in defence than in 2010 (when Germany beat them 4-0 in the quarter-finals),' Loew said. 'This team isn't just about (Lionel) Messi, if you believe that you're making a mistake. 'There are other fantastic attackers like Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria, while Messi can determine a match, so it will be a gripping final. 'It will be very combative, they will try to keep the ball and the two teams will face off at the same level.'

'This team isn't just about Messi'

Germany coach Joachim Loew says his side's opponents in Sunday's World Cup final provide much more danger than four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi.

"Argentina have been very strong in this tournament, they are much better, more compact and organised in defence than in 2010 (when Germany beat them 4-0 in the quarter-finals)," Loew said.

"This team isn't just about (Lionel) Messi, if you believe that you're making a mistake.

"There are other fantastic attackers like Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria, while Messi can determine a match, so it will be a gripping final.

"It will be very combative, they will try to keep the ball and the two teams will face off at the same level." 

West German forward Rudi Voeller (L) fights for the ball with Argentinian Jose Serrizuela during the soccer World Cup final Argentina vs West Germany, 08 July 1990 in Rome. AFP
West German forward Rudi Voeller (L) fights for the ball with Argentinian Jose Serrizuela during the soccer World Cup final Argentina vs West Germany, 08 July 1990 in Rome. AFP

Argentina v Germany all-time results

Matches between Argentina and Germany:

Total matches played: 21

Argentina wins: 9

Germany wins: 7

Draws: 5

08/06/58: World Cup - West Germany 3 Argentina 1

16/07/66: World Cup - Argentina 0 West Germany 0

03/07/74: World Cup - Argentina 1 East Germany 1

29/06/86: World Cup - Argentina 3 West Germany 2

08/07/90: World Cup - West Germany 1 Argentina 0

30/06/06: World Cup - Germany 1 Argentina 1 (Germany win 4-2 on penalties)

03/07/10: World Cup - Argentina 0 Germany 4

Other competitions:

01/01/81: Copo D'Oro - Argentina 2 West Germany 1

21/06/05: Confederations Cup - Germany 2 Argentina 2

Friendlies:

Argentina wins: 7

Germany wins: 3

Draws: 2