Sports Domination "Studs Up: Germany vs Argentina" edition

Germany will compete in their record seventh World Cup final and hope to come away with their fourth title Sunday afternoon at Estádio Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.

The team won in 1954 before taking home the prize in 1974 and 1990. All of those trophies were won in Europe, so Germany would also have the chance of being the first European side to win the Cup in South America with a victory on Sunday. Germany would also be the second straight European side to win the Cup outside of Europe after Spain achieved the feat in South Africa four years ago.

For many, the Germans enter the game as the favorites after their 7-1 drubbing of host nation Brazil. Here are reasons why Germany will win as well as what they need to do lift their fourth World Cup.

Why they will win:
1. Dynamic Game Plans
The Germans' offense was a point of criticism in recent games. People claimed that the team was too preoccupied with passing the ball to really create the kind of offensive soccer that Germans are accustomed to. After defeating the U.S. 1-0 in the final group match, people were appalled by the team's 2-1 win over Algeria that could have gone either way. The German defense looked vulnerable and the team lacked any idea of how to break down a disciplined Algerian team. The breakthrough eventually came, but after the 90 minutes had passed. Against France, there was a general protest of Germany's decision to sit back after taking a 1-0 lead early against France.

But those tactics, while admittedly boring and predictable, had proven effective up to that point. What is more, after the Algeria game, the German defense had come under attack. What did manager Joachim Loew do? He went with a more conservative strategy to tighten up any defense concerns and his side put together a compact and suffocating win over a French side that looked a bit lost throughout the match.

And then Loew unleashed his master plan. After showcasing a rather conservative side, he let the Germans attack with abandon against the host nation. But it was not unbridled abandon as much as it was a ruthlessness. Within 30 minutes, Germany had scored five goals and had completely killed all the hope of an entire nation. Every German attack looked like it would wind up in the back of the net and the reality is that that is how the game transpired. Germany abandoned the slow passing and opted for a more direct and speedy approach that left Brazil in the dust.

Against Argentina, this team can use whatever tactics suit its fancy. If Argentina decides to tighten up defensively, then the Germans can pass around and wait for an opening. If Argentina decides to attack, then the swift counter can destroy the weak Argentine defense in seconds.

2. Manuel Neuer
The German keeper is the best in the world and has improved as the tournament has developed. Neuer's ability to come out as a sweeper will serve the side handedly as it can disrupt any Argentinean attack and thus nullify the opposition's speed game. Neuer has made some eye-popping reflex saves throughout this tournament (especially in the last two games) and that could prove huge against the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero.

3. Golden Age
This German team is full of tremendous superstars that will be relished in future years. Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Phillipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira, Andre Schurrle, Mesut Ozil, Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Miroslav Klose and Mario Goetze are only a few the players that have transformed Germany from the tactless side that was lucky to reach the 2002 final into one full of tremendous talent and skill. This is German side is destined to make history and 2014 is their moment. They failed in 2008, 2010 and 2012 and were beaten harshly by their critics. They will play the final on Sunday as if it were their last chance to make history.

What they must do to win
1. Attack, attack, attack
Anyone doubting the team's defense should look at Argentina and realize that the South American side is incapable of launching a truly fortuitous attack. The Argentines have scored two goals in their last three knockout rounds matches and have been rather easy to stifle. So that should leave the defense rather assured. This should enable Germany to play the same way it did against Brazil -- by attack swiftly and directly. Passing the ball around would make it too easy for Argentina to defend. Going right at them, would wear out a weak backline and catch them off guard.

2. Start Miroslav Klose
The historic striker may be 36, but he has proven to be terrific for his country. Playing him forces the Germans to be more direct, but it also pushes the Argentinean defense back and does not allow them to commit every player forward. That stifled their attack a bit against the Dutch. The Germans need to take advantage of the same strategy and hope that Klose is ready to extend his record 16 goals in World Cups.

3. Ditch Mesut Ozil, Start Andre Schurrle
Lost in the 7-1 hoopla was the fact that Ozil missed out on the chance to make it 8-0; had he scored on his breakaway, then Oscar probably does not get his chance to run away down the other end and score the consolation tally. Ozil's miss summarizes his tournament as a whole -- he had a great chance to jump into the limelight but has often failed to assert himself despite being given every chance to do so. It might be chance to let Andre Schurrle, he of the final two goals against Brazil, to get a starting role. The Chelsea man has made the most of every chance give and could prove vital as a starter in the final.