hand of god .maradona opinion about german

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The “Hand of God” has been definitively slapped. If anyone had thought heading in to today’s match that it would end with the Argentine’s being trounced four goals to nil, they surely would have kept that opinion to themselves. The expectations were not quite so high. Two sides that have shown defensive blunders, both with their self-serving, under-performers of this tournament (Messi for them; Podolski for us,) both with sometimes-lethal forwards. Add to that a whole lot of talk about who’s a cheat, who’s afraid and who’s going to show whom come kick-off. And then the whistle blew and both sides began implementing their respective plan. For Germany, the plan was continue ever-onward. Play as a unit. Virtually all men on defense, as-needed, to keep the Argentines from creating chances. Keep Messi shut down (although why that might be necessary certainly had no backing evidence in this campaign;) all moving forward when opportunity arose, and, when the openings were carved, the Argentine defenses crumbled, fire that too-light Jabulani into the back of the Argentine goal.

For Argentina, the plan was to fill the pitch with strikers, rely on a fractured defense, and, if that didn’t pan out, well… There was no Plan B.

schweinsteiger-420x0 Despite all the barbs tossed pre-match by Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philip Lahm- or maybe because of them- Argentina did not play a dirty match filled with artfully concealed fouls and pleas for undeserved penalties. The most questionable tackle came early, and from our own Miroslav Klose- a dangerous decision based on the precarious footing with which so many of our squad went in to the day’s festivities. Before any concern could linger, however, the mood changed to elation.

Making good on his promise to make sure Diego Maradona knew who he was this time around, Thomas Müller, unmarked, headed a third-minute free kick from Schweinsteiger into the Argentine net. First blood was drawn and Argentina looked to shy dramatically from the sight of their own blood.

Finding themselves playing catch-up, the Argies had the difficult task of dealing with a Germany bent on preventing them from gaining ground. As Michel Platini watched on, cursing under his breath that, yet again, he had to bear witness to a German show of strength, Argentina repeatedly lost the mid-field battle and had its defense cut through by youth, agility and 10 men working as one. The best chance for Maradona’s side was met with a flag for, if my quick count was right, no fewer than four Argies clearly offside.

By half-time, we could have been three goals up were it not for some bad finishing (Klose) and bad decisions (Podolski, Müller.) What we couldn’t have been was much better. Or so one would have thought until the second half had fully played out.

Argentina played with more determination after half-time, but that resolve soon gave to frustration. If Klose’s 68th minute goal didn’t completely strip the Argentines of any further resolve, Arne Friedrich’s goal six minutes later surely did. And even then Germany were not prepared to defend down the clock, rounding out the scoring with another from Klose moments before the referee put Argentina out of their misery.
The Honour Roll

There’s little discussion left on the strengths of Thomas Müller. Unfortunately, a brilliant match where he was either scoring or involved in setting up a goal was marred by an unintentional handball that was intentionally flicked on. The resultant yellow card means we’ll be without him when we play Spain on Wednesday.

Jerome Boateng played a good first half, but a hastily passed ball in the second half almost handed Argentina an equalizer. Jansen’s short visit to the pitch didn’t let him prove his worth one way or the other.

Lukas Podolski had a very good match if we were to speak from a purely defensive point-of-view. On the attack, he’s still struggling to prove something, even if just to himself, and that makes his decisions on the ball questionable. It’s great that he wants to score for the National Team, but if you can cross to an unmarked man coming up the flank, do it.

Mesut Özil played a reduced role this time around, but was clearly picked out by the Argentines as one to keep a mark on. That alone speaks to his talents.

Philip Lahm, in my opinion, hasn’t done much as a captain but has done a heckuva lot in clearing the balls our defenders seem to miss.

Per Mertesacker has been subject to much criticism up to this point, but today he definitely proved he’s not just a big, dopey obstacle left in place for good measure. Certainly his performance was worthy of more than the “balls to the face” jokes he’s surely going to have to deal with back on home soil.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has proven himself a strong leader on this squad and a force to be reckoned with. There was little that happened in today’s match in which he didn’t play a part. When we walk onto the pitch for the final, it will be in no small part thanks to him.

Manuel Neuer had his best match of the tournament. The only way he could have done a better job today were if he were Rene Adler. (Yes. I have let my club loyalties slip through here, but I’ve also praised three players from FC Bayern and almost praised one from Köln, so cut me some slack.)

Of all the opponents we’ve faced in this tournament, the Argentines were hyped as the most fearsome. Rather than take a defensive stance and wait out the odd goals, we forced our game on them and dispatched them with even more ease than we did England. There is now only Spain between us and the final. Spain, who were beaten by the Swiss and have yet to show themselves as much of a strike force. With the confidence we will be taking into Wednesday’s match, and the spirit and class we’ve proven up to this point, there’s no reason to think we can’t get by them, too.