It's being billed as man against machine.
The always pleasant Lionel Messi and his jovial style against the well-oiled, soulless Germans who show no emotion and no mercy while crushing the hopes of every team that crosses their path.
In truth, there is much more to the obvious talking points. Sunday's match should more than make up for the one-sided affair between these two foes four years ago in South Africa.
Here, we look at how Argentina and Germany match up at every position.
Goalkeepers
Manuel Neuer has been equal parts goalkeeper and sweeper thus far in the tournament. When Algeria threatened with balls over the top of a slow German defense, the giant shot-stopper was quick to get off his line and sweep away the danger. When France and Brazil looked threatening and created chances, his lightning-fast reactions and strong hands kept them at bay. In a tournament full of miraculous goalkeeping performances, his consistency has arguably made him the most impressive netminder.
Sergio Romero was chided as one of the weakest links of the Argentine side heading into the tournament, and has proven to be anything but over the past month. His two saves against Iran paved the way for Lionel Messi's late winner in the group stage. He denied Granit Xhaka the opening goal against Switzerland with a fantastic kick save, and was the hero against the Netherlands in the penalty shootout. While Ron Vlaar's spot-kick was tame, Romero's save on Wesley Sneijder was legitimately world class.
It's very tight between the two men based on performance alone, though the German seems more well-rounded.
Advantage: Germany
Defenders
The German machine has been nearly flawless, but if there is one area of concern for manager Joachim Low, it's the defense. Despite looking significantly stronger since the inclusion of Philipp Lahm at his natural fullback position, several question marks remain.
Is there really no better option at left-back than Benedikt Howedes? When will Jerome Boateng make the big mistake that he has avoided thus far? Will Mats Hummels' inflamed knee hold up?
Argentina, meanwhile, have surprisingly been the best defensive team in the tournament, not allowing a goal in over 370 minutes of action. What was a perceived weakness has been the best strength of this team. Martin Demichelis and Ezequiel Garay have been stout, while Pablo Zabaleta has been his reliable self, and Marcos Rojo is one of the breakout stars of the competition.
This is the most clear distinction between the two teams heading into Sunday.
Advantage: Argentina
Midfielders
The German midfield is frightening. Toni Kroos, reportedly on the verge of a move to Real Madrid, put an exclamation mark on a great tournament with two goals against Brazil in the semifinal massacre—the first of which a left-footed rocket that Julio Cesar couldn't stop despite getting a hand to it. Sami Khedira is rounding back into top form after recovering from knee surgery, and Bastian Schweinsteiger is still able to dictate the pace of a match from his deep-lying role.
Aside from the brilliant Javier Mascherano, Argentina's midfield is underwhelming. Lucas Biglia and Enzo Perez are good players—the latter even winning the player of the year award in Portugal last year. However, without Angel di Maria, the Albiceleste are outclassed in the center of the pitch in a big way.
Di Maria's inclusion in the starting lineup would shorten the gap in this area, but Germany are still superior.
Advantage: Germany
Forwards
Thomas Muller is the definition of clinical. Miroslav Klose has proven in this tournament that age is just a number. They could go down as the two greatest scorers in World Cup history by the time their careers come to an end.
Neither of them are Lionel Messi.
The Argentine captain is the best player on the pitch by a Grand Canyon-esque margin, and can single-handedly win this match even if Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi are completely useless and offer no help whatsoever. That's his brilliance. It's also his unfair burden. It's time he toss that stupid silverback gorilla off his back.
Advantage: Argentina
Substitutes
Andre Schurrle comes off the bench for Germany. Mario Gotze typically follows him. Other managers must shriek in envy when Jogi Low turns to his substitutes.
Argentina are no slouches in this category either.
Assuming Di Maria and Sergio Aguero begin the match as substitutes, these could be the most star-studded benches we've seen in recent memory. When fit, the two are among the best attackers in the world, the former an assist wizard and the latter a scoring machine. Rodrigo Palacio is a serviceable striker, though his hideous rat-tail is an abomination that needs to be destroyed yesterday.
It's close, but with Argentina's men being healthy, the Albiceleste have the edge.
Advantage: Argentina
Managers
Jogi Low has always been the manager that can't win the big one since assuming control of Die Mannschaft. Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 have brought disappointment to the Germans, despite spells in which they looked like the best team at the respective competitions. Lucky as he's been to have such a talented crop of players along for the ride, he did mastermind those impressive results, including the 7-1 drubbing of Brazil. That said, he inexplicably played the best fullback in the world as a midfielder for half of the tournament. For that he should feel some shame, and get docked points.
Alejandro Sabella, meanwhile, will always be seen as the puppet to Lionel Messi's puppeteer. While he has never been able to find the perfect blend to get the very best out of the Barcelona star, the fact that he has turned the Albiceleste into a defensive juggernaut at this tournament is very impressive.
This one is a wash.
Advantage: None
Tale of the Tape: Argentina 3, Germany 2
