World Cup 2014 11am Bulletin: Everybody loves Germany

There is much for neutrals to admire in this Germany squad

Following a superior semi-final display, there will be a lot of backing for Germany in the final against Argentina...

Brazil fans ol-ed and applauded Germany at the end of their 7-1 semi-final smashing of the hosts. That has now proven ideal preparation for Sunday, when they will surely cheer for their vanquishers to avoid having their humiliation extended by Argentina winning the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.

You suspect that plenty of neutrals will be supporting Germany too, both because they deserve a trophy to commemorate eight years of continued progress and reward their youth development, and because they are far worthier on the evidence of the tournament so far.

Whereas every Argentina victory has come by one goal or less (including one on penalties, one in extra time and one in injury-time) Germany have beaten two strong teams by four goals or more (Portugal and Brazil) and thoroughly outplayed and neutered a dangerous France side.

Even in their lucky-escape performance against Algeria in the round-of-16, they enthralled viewers, which is something that Argentina - far more reliant than Barcelona ever have been on the "wait for Lionel Messi to do something amazing" front - can rarely have claimed this summer.

Germany are 1.728/11 to be crowned champions for the fourth time, with Argentina 2.3811/8 shots, while they are an attractive 2.3811/8 to triumph in 90 minutes as they did against France and Brazil, whereas the Albiceleste are 3.55n/a to deliver in such a fashion for only the second time in the knockout phase.

Joachim Low has a reputation for heroic failure, with his three prior tournaments as manager ending with a Euro 2008 final defeat, World Cup 2010 third-place and Euro 2012 semi-final exit. Worryingly, Germany are also the sole prior World Cup holders to have lost more finals than they have won.

Sunday's Maracana showdown will see Germany v Argentina join Brazil v Sweden as the most played World Cup fixture in history, while it will also become the first ever three-time final. Argentina won the first instalment 3-2 in Mexico in 1986, with Germany gaining revenge 1-0 in Italy four years later.