World Cup Final, Germany-Argentina, Open thread

After a month of one of the most entertaining World Cups in memory, it comes down to two pre-tournament favorites, Germany and Argentina.

Lionel Messi will be the best player on the pitch -- but the next five or six best players may all be German. Messi will have to be spectacular for Argentina to win, and even then it may not be enough.

If the German side has a weakness, it may be speed and quickness on the back line. Messi will try to exploit that, beating guys with his dribble, drawing a ton of attention, then looking to set up teammates.

For Germany, Mehzut Ozil has been a bit disappointing in the Cup, but pretty much everyone else has been as good as advertised. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been a wall backstopping the German defense, and even when that slowish back line gets beaten over the top, Neuer comes way off his line to play sweeper-keeper. Not to mention that he's quick as a cat on his line. For me, he could be the difference today.

Have fun watching the beautiful game.