While I was a bit on, and a bit off, for the round robin, I fared a bit better in the four round of eight games that I was able to make picks for.
For the quarterfinals, I was wrong about the first two, then right about the next two.
And while I got the semifinal winners right, I did not see anything like Germany's destruction of Brazil coming at all. That was so shocking, and I doubt anyone really would have imagined such a scenario, even the most optimistic German fans!
So now, the matches for the final weekend are set. The Netherlands and Brazil meet in the consolation match, while Argentina and Germany meet to determine who will be crowned the new World Cup champions!
Third Place Match: Brazil v Netherlands
You know, a lot of people are saying, rather mindlessly, I think, that Brazil essentially gave up after the first goal.
I do not believe that to be true.
While they did yield that early goal, the real destruction did not begin until that second goal, more than ten minutes later. True, it came early, but I think that was when everyone in the stadium, including the players and coaches, knew that Brazil was in deep trouble, and playing a team that was apparently superior to them.
It was at that moment that I think Brazil panicked, and their defensive collapse was made possible. They allowed three goals in a span of four minutes, and four goals were allowed overall in around six minutes. Somewhere in that ridiculous scenario, Brazil seemed to throw in the towel, just wanting to get off the field, knowing that they were beaten by a clearly far superior team.
I suspect that the pressure of being the home team, and having the weight not just of extremely high (probably unrealistically high expectations, frankly), mixed with Brazil's incredible, proud tradition, and the pressure of erase the one glaring failure in Brazil's otherwise glorious resume, probably combined to allow for this kind of collapse.
Now, don't get me wrong! Germany obviously had something to do with it. But, with the benefit of hindsight, I think this collapse was probably inevitable.
I mean, think about it! Of all the teams that have ever hosted the World Cup, it winds up being Brazil, of all countries, that suffers the worst home loss by far of anyone, and that during the elimination round!
Clearly, the pressure got to them, and they gave up once Germany started piling on the points.
It seems almost cruel to drag them out to the field just days after a historic level humiliation that will be remembered for many years. That will be what this version of Brazil will be remembered for and identified with for a long, long time.
Yet, they have to play another game almost right away?
It does not seem fair.
Obviously, both teams are disappointed. But the Netherlands were not expected to go as far as they did, while Brazil was obviously expected (by their home fans, as well as many experts) to go farther than they did. And that translates to the Netherlands probably having a lot more motivation to win this contest.
Because, let's face it: what is Brazil's motivation here? To play for honor? Do they really want to "win" that third place game? If they do, it would likely only compound the sense of failure from the loss that will follow them forever more.
Netherlands lost a very narrow contest against Argentina, and I like them to come out swinging, and win this game outright. I am not predicting that Brazil allows seven goals again. But I am saying that Brazil probably was not as good as their ability to win a weak group and advance to the semifinals by playing relatively weak opponents would suggest that they were.
So, I am predicting that Netherlands will win this game, and fairly convincingly, at that.
My prediction: Netherlands
World Cup Final: Argentina v Germany
This is starting to be the rivalry of the World Cup Final match!
These two teams have met two times before here. The first was in 1986, when Maradona led Argentina to a 3-2 victory over then West Germany.
But West Germany (soon toe be Germany outright) got their revenge in 1990, winning a sluggish game 1-0, after being rewarded a penalty kick, in what some describe as the worst World Cup Final game ever.
So, what will this final match bring?
You might think it would bring fireworks, because it's Messi's Argentina versus the explosive German team that beat Portugal 4-0 to open the tournament, and then just humiliated the host nation, Brazil, 7-1, to earn their spot in this final.
Unfortunately for Germany, Argentina is not a Portuguese speaking nation, otherwise they would be in real trouble, since Germany seems to put those nations to shame!
Germany looked incredible against Brazil, it's true. There is absolutely no denying that.
But Argentina is not Brazil. Germany will not score seven goals against Argentina, because Argentina, unlike Brazil, can play a very tough, defensive game and still win, as evidenced by yesterday's victory over the Netherlands.
I am tempted to say that this will be a very low scoring final, and their is the distinct possibility that it will go into extra sessions, and possibly even the penalty kick shootout beyond that. No one is going to want to give up a goal.
But in the end, I think Argentina's will is just too strong, and that is why they are my pick to win this game, and the whole tournament as a result! Germany has some brilliant aspects of it's game, such as the passing that caught Brazil with it's pants down the other night. But Argentina is loaded with talent, and has shown a capacity to win any kind of a game that is thrown at them. I doubt that they are fazed or intimidated by Germany.
So, I see Argentina hoisting the trophy on Sunday, and Germany, once again, placing just short of the World Cup championship.
My prediction: Argentina Wins the World Cup!
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