Germany Favored To Do What No European Country Has Done Before
by Bovada Sportsbook Staff | July 11, 2014
Germany will be facing Argentina in the World Cup Final on Sunday at the storied Estádio Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. The book expects it to be the most-wagered single day sporting event in history, and it’s also likely to be the most watched on television.
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History says Argentina should be favored. Why? There have been seven previous World Cups held in the Americas, and no European team has ever won. However, off a record-setting blowout of host nation Brazil in the semifinals, the Germans opened as the favorites at +120, Argentina is +240, and a regulation draw is +230. The early action is slanted heavily on Germany. It is also leaning toward the over two goals, which is a favorite at -120.
It’s hard to argue against favoring the Germans, who are in their record eighth World Cup final. Germany has won the title three times, and their last win (as West Germany) was in 1990 against
Argentina.
Germany has put on the most impressive World Cup display ever with its 7-1 semifinal embarrassment of Brazil, which sent a nation into mourning. It appeared Brazil’s hearts weren’t in the game with star Neymar out injured and captain Thiago Silva suspended.
Germany went up 5-0 in a remarkable 18-minute span of the first half. The team’s five goals in the first 29 minutes overall was the fastest five goals scored in any World Cup match. It was the largest margin of victory ever in a World Cup semifinal and equaled Brazil’s worst loss in any international tournament. It was also Brazil’s first loss on home soil in a non-friendly since 1975. Germany’s Miroslav Klose scored the second goal of the match and it was his 16th goal in the World Cup. That’s a new record, breaking a tie with former Brazilian great Ronaldo.
Argentina is the only country that has won every match in this tournament (Germany tied Ghana in the group stage). The Argentines’ semifinal against the Netherlands was the polar opposite of the Germany-Brazil match. Argentina won in penalty kicks after finishing extra time tied at 0-0. Argentina played without arguably its second-best player, attacker Angel Di Maria. There are conflicting reports on whether he could suit up Sunday. If it’s even remotely possible, he will. The Dutch did a fabulous job bottling up four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi, something the Germans will try to mimic.
The Argentines are in their fifth World Cup final and looking for a third championship. Led by Diego Maradona, they won the 1986 final by beating West Germany 3-2 in Mexico City. Argentina also won in 1978 when it hosted the World Cup. The two favored results for Sunday’s match are Germany winning 1-0 and a 1-1 draw at 5/1.
The Golden Boot Award for the World Cup is also up for grabs. This title goes to the leading goalscorer in the tournament. Colombia’s James Rodriguez leads with six even though his country was knocked out by Brazil in the quarterfinals. He is Bovada’s favorite at 4/9. Germany’s Thomas Müller has five goals and is 5/2. Messi has four and is 12/1. Müller is the favorite at 9/2 to be Germany’s first goalscorer in the Sunday match, with Klose at 5/1. Messi is 9/2 to score Argentina’s first.
The only World Cup to get to penalty kicks after a scoreless draw was Brazil against Italy in 1994 at the Rose Bowl outside of Los Angeles. Brazil won in the shootout.
