Who touches glory? Allsports.com.gh writers predict cagey final

After a month of glorious football action it, all comes down to one match,Argentina against Brazil.

Both are former winners in pursuit of history and validation..There is no doubt that the two teams who best encapsulate the word have made the finals. Who wins it though?

That is a questiom Allsports writers try to answer.

Kwame Boakye
The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil despite its countless amounts of bolts from the blue couldn't mastermind an underdog at the final as Germany and Argentina take on centre stage at the Maracana on Sunday.

How I'd love Lionel Messi to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy to engender another line of argument in the 'Football's ever greatest player' debate. But he can't. Scratch that. He won't.

Argentina have made the final of the competition in Brazil but bar the game against the Netherlands, not in a so convincing manner.

Germany however have shown enough consistency, zeal and with the high soaring confidence from the Brazil thrash, Die Mannschaft will be an opposition a notch too strong for their Argentina adversaries.

The only conclusive game for both Germany and Argentina in the 2014 tournament will be the FINAL of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. And I think Germany are conclusively going to conclude what they started in perfection with a win against Argentina.

PREDICTION: Germany 2-1 Argentina
Isaac Darko
Before the World Cup started, i predicted that Argentina wil be crowned champions, and i'll still stick to my prediction despite my dislike for Lionel Messi. I am not about to abandon ship now. There are no doubts that Germany are the better team, have played the better football and make more deserved winners of the World Cup. But titles are not necessarily won by the best sides, just the better side on that day. And I believe that Argentina will set up like how they have always done in Brazil, tight, conservative, and rely on that one moment of magic from Lionel Messi. And given the stage, I believe Messi will deliver. Winning a World Cup for Argentina in Brazil, it's his destiny.

Germany 1-2 Argentina
Fiifi Anaman
There is so much pressure on Germany to nail this final and lift their first World Cup in 24 years, not only because of the fact they've played so well over the last few years and underachieved, but also due to the annihilation of hosts Brazil in the semi. It would be logical to argue that the pressure could undo them, but this is a German side that came into this tournament as hot favourites and have thus far taken the bull by the horns by being incredibly up to it. Joachim Low's men have not at any point in this tournament looked like a side fazed by all the daunting expectations, and they have so far worked their way effectively into the final. Die Mannschaft have the balls to close the deal at the Maracana. The Argentines know they have been far from their best in Brazil, but then, who cares? That's what the World Cup is about: taking your chances. There will be so much motivation for Alejandro Sabella's men: from avenging the final loss in 1990 (Italy) through to Messi looking to end that nagging debate about having to win the world cup to be considered the best ever. That should make the Albicelestes a tough nut to crack for the Germans. All that has happened - all achievements and failings -  prior to the final will count for nothing. It will be down to who is better and wants it more, with a sprinkle of luck to boot on the day. It should be a final of quality.

Nana Afrane Asante
his will certainly be a cagey encounter between two great football nations at the Maracana on Sunday with the odds against Argentina looking at the depth and strength in the German side.

Argentina may have played their semi-final a day later, and went through extra-time and penalties whiles Germany, in contrast, only had to play for 30 minutes against Brazil, then just cruised through the rest of the game but the game of football speaks a different language during the 90 minutes of play on the field.

There will be massive Argentina support, and they will love the fact this final is at the Maracana.

This German team is good at probing your weakness and, once they spot it, then you are in for a proper examination.

We still do not know exactly how good Joachim Low's side is, because Ghana gave them what many believe is the best game of the tournament, exposing them in different areas on the pitch with Algeria also giving them something to worry about whiles Brazil played like seven year olds in the playground in their semi-final meeting giving the Germans little work to do.

Argentina have a strong spine and are persistent - they will not collapse in the way Brazil did but they have still not lived up to expectation at this tournament which makes this final a very interesting one.

I tip Argentina to nick this away from the Germans and I believe we are yet to see a stand-out performance from them

They are in the final because of some moments of magic from Lionel Messi, and bundles of character elsewhere in the team which may just guide them to win the trophy but for this to really materialise, then Lionel Messi needs to be the Oasis one more time.

Nana Afrane's prediction: 2-1