Don't Cry For Me Argentina. The Truth Is, Die Manschaaft Were Too Good.

Lionel Messi: "Don't cry for me Argentina. The truth is, Die Manschaaft were too good."

Four-time champions, Germany.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

Truly, they were. As they'd put it, Wunderbar. And what a World Cup it has been, with 180 goals of all kinds, it has been absolutely fantastic. Maybe there is a little magic about football and Brazil. Not the Brazilian team though.

From Berlin to Frankfurt, and Hamburg to Munich, the Biergartens will be filled to the brim, with Bratwurst and lager overflowing, and it is probably well-deserved. They dismissed off Portugal without much sweat, hobbled over the line against Algeria, had it relatively easy against France, tortured and slaughtered Brazil, and nicked it against a very solid, if unspectacular Argentine side.

Mario Gotze with a tremendous goal.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

But there is nothing individualistic about this crop of Germans. It was undoubtedly a collective effort, from Manuel Neuer to Miroslav Klose, everyone had a role to play. A well-drilled, well-oiled German machine this was, so much so that no team could find a way to dismantle their efficient setup. Even the great Lionel Messi found it tough against this lot.

A golden opportunity spurned by Rodrigo Palacio.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

It would've been quite different if Gonzalo Higuain had grabbed his chance in the first half. Or if Rodrigo Palacio (with the most ridiculous of hair-does) put the ball past Manuel Neuer. For Argentina, it was a case of 'Ifs and Buts'. Germany though, efficient as they always are, went out on that marvelous playing field and did the job.

A mammoth of a player, Bastian Schweinsteiger.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

This team could go quite far, though not as good I think as compared to the Spanish matadors who ruled the world for 6 years. Well deserved champions I'd have to say, being the first Europeans to be crowned Kings in South America.

Rio has delivered a fabulous World Cup, for billions around the globe to savour. Spain were shockingly but deservedly knocked out, in what could surely be the end of a spectacular generation of football players. Asia disappointed, with no team offering as much as a slight threat. Africa's best representatives were Nigeria, who have a young and capable squad, but no team from that continent has got past the last eight before.

It was always going to come down to a battle royale between Europe and South America, and I can't help but think that Chile would have given the Germans a run for their Euros, had they got a bit more luck against Brazil. Columbia and James Rodriguez (golden boot winner with 6 goals) were mesmerising at times, entertaining not only with their style of play, but their dance moves too.

The Maracana.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

The Oranje meanwhile surprised many by ending up with a 3rd place finish, but were mightily close to Argentina. But no one, no one will ever be able to erase from memory the extraordinary capitulation of Brazil in the semifinals. A wake up call for the nation, at the hands of truly a class-filled group of footballers.

Battered and bruised, Germany found a way. Argentina needed an Eva Peron moment from their talisman to win the World Cup.

This picture says it all.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

Lionel Messi had a frown on his face, of which Michaelangelo would've been gifted to paint. He never desired fortune or fame, but the World Cup still eludes him. "Don't Cry For Me Argentina. The truth is, Die Manschaaft were too good."

Thanks to all who read the posts on this blog, it has truly been a spectacular World Cup, arguably the best ever to date.

Till next time.