New Delhi: Germany 2006 is turning out to be a battle of the favourites with six out of the eight teams in the quarter-finals being former World Cup winners.
On Friday, as the home-side takes on the Latin American powerhouse Argentina in a repeat of the 1986 and the 1990 final in the round of eight, adrenaline levels are running high.
History is about to take a new turn as the match already is being dubbed as the final before the final.
Germany have performed exceedingly well until now, but to be fair, they haven’t faced an opposition of the calibre of the mighty Argentines.
Argentina, likewise, haven’t faced a tough opponent just as yet. But the way they have played thus far proves they are in top form and are gunning for their third triumph.
History has been kind to both the soccer-crazy nations, and both have won one final apiece contested between the two.
Here’s a look at how Argentina tore through Germany in Mexico ‘86 and how the Germans avenged defeat four years hence:
Argentina 3-2 West Germany
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Attendance: 114,600
The most controversial World Cup ever concluded at an overcrowded Azteca Arena in Mexico City.
The crowd, for obvious reasons, was disappointed as their team hadn’t gone through, but nonetheless two powerhouses of soccer meeting at the grandest stage of all was enticing enough.
Argentina qualified through the sheer brilliance of their captain Diego Armando Maradona, while Germany, was as rugged as ever and were playing their fifth final.
The lead-up had been exciting. Argentina were said to have cheated, and Germany had demolished one of the favourites of the tournament, Michel Platini’s French team, which was a repeat of the 1982 semi-final in Spain.
But when the final began, the rest was forgotten. The flair of Latin American football was up against the rough-tackling and tactical Europeans.
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The Germans knew they were up against a man who was the only one on earth capable of winning matches on his own.
And Maradona didn’t disappoint. Argentina won the World Cup with their talismanic captain setting up Jorge Burruchaga with a defence-splitting pass, after the Germans came back from to two goals down to equalise.
Maradona ended the tournament as the best player scoring five goals, apart from setting up numerous others.
Argentina 0-1 West Germany
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Attendance: 76,603
The dirtiest World Cup ever, Italia ‘90 has always been thought of best forgotten. The negative, defensive tactics at the home of defensive play, Italy, was also not enough to be appreciated by fans.
The final was a repeat of the clash four years ago. Germany were defiant in their tactical play, having eliminated England in the semis after a thrilling penalty shoot-out.
Unlike the nerve-wracking final four years ago, this one had a significant contrast to it. The final went on to be dubbed as the ugliest final in the history of the World Cup.
Several denied calls for penalty from both sides and two red cards later (both to Argentines), the dust settled with Andreas Brehme converting from the spot in the 85th minute, a decision marred by controversy.
Diego Maradona did not sparkle the way he did in ‘86, while Franz Beckenbauer became the second man in history to have won the World Cup as a player and then as a manager.
The Germans had sealed their third World Cup victory and ruled the roost for another four years, before Brazil won their fouth title in the United States.
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