Maradona: Germany beatable (hit man law)

Argentina not intimidated
Argentina legend Diego Maradona believes Germany are beatable ahead of the third meeting between the two nations in the World Cup final.

Maradona inspired La Albiceleste to
a 3-2 victory at Mexico '86 before Die Mannschaft got their revenge at Italia '90 with a 1-0 triumph.

At the 2014 edition in Brazil, Joachim Low's side dismantled the hosts 7-1 in the semi-finals to book their place in the title decider at the Maracana on Sunday.

The South Americans, meanwhile, needed penalties to see off the Netherlands at the second-last hurdle to set up another final showdown with the European giants.

However, Maradona, who scored 34 goals in 91 appearances for his country, claims it is possible to beat the Germans and claim a third world crown, citing their performance in the last-16 against Algeria as proof that there are cracks in the machine.

He told Venezuelan TV show De Zurda: "Germany is not impossible. Argentina can do it. Against Algeria, we saw one Germany, and against Brazil [we saw] another.

"But we all expected it to be Brazil. Argentina are going in strengthened. Once again Argentine football is back at the top. The jersey had lost prestige. Today it got it back.

The 53-year-old, who oversaw the national team's exit at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa following a 4-0 defeat to Germany in the last eight, was impressed with their defensive display against the Oranje even if their own attacking play was under-whelming.

He said: "Argentina did not play well, but they did not let Netherlands play well. That was so important.

"Argentina pressed them on the pitch. [Wesley] Sneijder was not allowed to have one shot at goal. [Arjen] Robben was always pushed inside. He had [Javier] Mascherano who was on top of him with [Marcos] Rojo.

"[Ezequiel] Garay was superb. 'Chiquito' [goalkeeper Sergio Romero] you cannot even talk about. I think Leo [Messi] felt tired and they marked him very well, but he played well. I want to highlight how well the defence worked, the collective work, keeping it tight."