Sunday’s game at the Maracana will see one of the great World Cup rivalries resurrected as Germany play Argentina for a record third time in the final.
Each countries most recent title came at the expense of the other, Argentina victors in 1986 and Germany’s revenge in 1990. Airton Risk, a division of Paddy Power PLC take a look at the number for this fitting finale.
Argentina kept nine clean sheets in their last 11 matches and there is a 30% chance that they won’t concede against Germany. It’s their first World Cup final since 1990 when they went on to lose 1-0 to West Germany. There is a 14% shot for a repeat 1-0 victory.
Argentina inspired by Diego Maradona won the World Cup in 1986 beating Germany 3-2. There is a 2% chance of a repeat scoreline. His protégé Lionel Messi has been involved in five of the last eight Argentina goals in this World Cup (4 goals, 1 assist). He is a 30% chance to win MOTM.
Germany’s only defeat in their last 10 matches against South American opposition at the World Cup came in the 2002 final versus Brazil. Argentina have a 28% chance to win in 90 mins.
Miroslav Klose is the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 16 goals and he is also the only player from Germany that was part of the 2002 final. He has a 29% chance to score and add to his legacy tonight.
Thomas Müller is Germany’s top scorer on five goals. He needs to get two goals to be sure of winning the Golden Boot ahead of James Rodriquez, he is a 25% chance of catching him.
No European team has ever won a world cup in the Americas. Germany have a 55% chance of being the first