2014 FIFA World Cup Final: Eleven Interesting Facts

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Are you a facts machine? Are you that guy at the party for the big game who is spouting useless info during every commercial and during free kicks when everyone’s trying to watch the game? Do you frequently get annoyed looks or blank stares?

Well, here’s more ammunition for your smarts-gun, bro. Now go impress the ladies.

1. At this World Cup, Argentina has won all its previous 6 matches coming into the final. Germany too is unbeaten, however, they had one draw in group stage. All players, except Miroslav Klose (2002 final), on either side are in the World Cup final for the first time.
2. Maracana stadium will host the final. It will be the second World Cup final at the venue, after 1950. The total capacity at Maracana is 76,935
3. The world champion team will receive $35 million prize money while the runner-up team gets $25 million
4. This is the third meeting between the sides in a World Cup final. It is 1-1 with Argentina winning in 1986 final (3-2) and Germany in 1990 (1-0)
5. Germany has won three World Cup titles – 1954, 1974 as hosts, 1990 (all 3 as West Germany) while Argentina was champion twice (1978 as hosts, 1986) 
6. For Argentina, it is their 5th time in final (Won 2 – 1978, 1986; Lost – 1930, 1990). Germany’s 8th time in final (Won 3 – 1954, 1974, 1990; Lost – 1966, 1982, 1986, 2002) 
7. Argentina holds the edge over Germany in head-to-head record, 9-6 while the other 5 ended in draws 
8. If the Germans win on Sunday, they will become only the second team after Brazil (5 – 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) and Italy (4 – 1934 as hosts, 1938, 1982, 2006) to have won four or more World Cup trophies 
9. Argentina is in the final for the first time in 24 years while Germany is in the title round after 12 years. 
10. A national team with a foreign coach has never won the FIFA World Cup. The 18 winning coaches to date have all been in charge of their home nation. The record will remain as both Argentina (Alejandro Sabella) and Germany (Joachim Loew) have home coaches. The captains for the final are – Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Philipp Lahm (Germany) 
11. Germany’s Thomas Muller is second on Golden Boot Standings with 5 goals while Lionel Messi is third with 4 goals. The leader is Colombia’s James Rodriguez with 6

[Via OneIndia]

Is there any other World Cup trivia you’ve come across?