Goalkeeping: Both goalies are starting in their first ever World Cup, but Brazil's Julio Cesar (Inter Milan) is already very experienced in important games. He saw plenty of them this year alone as he helped lead Inter Milan to the UEFA Champions League trophy. Sergio Romero is a bright young goalie for Argentina, and may end up being the better keeper in the long run, but Julio Cesar is the better in 2010. Edge:
Defense: Brazil has an excellent back four led by their sturdy duo in the middle of Lucio (Inter Milan) and Juan (Roma). Maicon (Inter Milan) is an excellent defender at left back who poses an offensive threat when Brazil is on a rush. The Argentine side is no slouch either as Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich) and Walter Samuel (Inter Milan) anchor the middle for them. Also, Gabriel Heinze (Marseille) is a veteran prescence at right back for Argentina and is very reliable. Defense doesn't stop with Brazil and Argentina after the back four. Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos) at defensive midfield is one of Coach Dunga's most important players on the pitch. The same can be said about the Albicelestes and Javier Mascherano (Liverpool). Both teams have very sound defenses, but the middle pairing for Brazil is more seasoned and have been in more
meaningful games. They get the slight edge. Edge:
Midfield: Now it all depends on the lineups of Dunga and Maradona, but for now Kaka (Real Madrid) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona) will count as midfielders. Both will look to create for themselves and others and are the major focal points of their offenses. A Seleção doesn't have the big names in the midfield that most people are used to, but they are very talented and fit Dunga's technical style of football. Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool) returns for Argentina in the midfield and is still a dangerous threat out on the wing. Argentina's deadly weapon besides Messi in the midfield may come off the bench as Angel Di Maria (Benfica) seems poised for a breakout summer. Both midfields are so impressive that there is hardly anything to separate the two. Edge:
Forwards: Against most countries in the world, Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) and Robinho (Manchester City), would have the advantage against the opposing team's strikers. That is not the case against Argentina. No team has more depth up front than the Albicelestes. Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid) and Diego Milito (Inter Milan) tore it up this year for their respective club teams and are in arguably their best form to date. If they weren't enough, Sergio "Kun" Aguero (Atletico Madrid) and Carlos Tevez (Manchester City) are also available. Aguero and Tevez would be one of the most deadly duos in the world if they were on another team and they will most likely be featured off of Maradona's bench. The depth of Argentina's attack makes their strikers the better bunch. Edge:
Prediction: This should be one amazing World Cup Final between these arch rivals. These teams played to a scoreless draw the first time they faced each other in qualifying and then Brazil thrashed Argentina the second time 4-1. Brazil has had the Argentines number over the last few years including a win in the final of Copa America 2007 3-0 and in the 2005 Confederations Cup Final by the score of 4-1. Argentina has watched Brazil stomp all over them for the better part of five years. That ends this summer. This World Cup will be one about offense and speed. Argentina has both in spades. Lionel Messi will make the jump from international star to international legend in the soccer world. Argentina will be the team raising up the trophy on July 11th. Winner:
SPAINNNN
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