2014 World Cup - Argentina a Messi! German Jitters?

The nerves appear to be hitting the big teams at this World Cup.

We've already seen Spain and England eliminated, while Brazil and Italy have shown their nerves recently. Now, it seems that two of the giants, Germany and Argentina are showing that they are human after all.



Indeed, Argentina seem to be Lionel Messi plus 10 other men based on their first two games - Messi is Argentina's top scorer at this World Cup with 2 goals - the other goal was an own goal - and he has been the difference between mediocrity and triumph. His winner against Iran was typical Messi, a shot curled outside a box packed with defenders and unable to be stopped by the keeper.

Argentina badly needed that goal to seal their place in the 2nd round but also to continue to keep morale and confidence up - and a sign of good luck that has departed them since 1986. After all, Iran definitely deserved that draw even with their slightly negative tactics that aren't quite befitting of this goal fest of World Cups - indeed they could have had a penalty to take a shock lead.

If Messi is to win the World Cup, it looks like he will have to do it all on his own just like Diego Maradona did back in 1986 with an average Argentina side. Hopefully, one of Sergio Aguero, Angel di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Fernando Gago, etc. will be able to fire soon and become the Carlos Burruchaga and Jorge Valdano for Argentina's sake.

Nigeria is up next, and the African side are on the verge of their first appearance in the 2nd round since 1998 after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina which also eliminated the debutants from the equation. Argentina have beaten Nigeria every time they've played each other at the World Cup and definitely are due a good performance going into the business end of the World Cup.

And there's no doubt that Nigeria will be a challenge, particularly if there's any indication that the African sides are currently having the performance that they probably wished they had 4 years ago when the World Cup was on their own continent.

This was evident with Ghana's performance against Germany as they were not far off from a shock win over the Germans - a 3 on 2 in injury time really should have resulted in a winner for Ghana instead of the linesman's flag being put up.

Ghana and Germany have played some great games in recent times - Germany were close 1-0 winners over Ghana in South Africa 4 years ago - and this was no different as they matched each other in the first half. In the second half, Ghana were unlucky to go a goal down to a freak goal to Mario Goetze but credit to them, they came back with a bang through the Ayew brothers and Asamoah Gyan, before they were undone in the set pieces by Miroslav Klose who tied with Ronaldo for most goals scored at World Cups.

Klose was close - is there now!

If there was a more unlikely player to hold that record, Poland born Klose would definitely fit the bill. Unlike many of his contemporaries Klose doesn't have many club honours - his most successful run coming with Bayern Munich when he won the Bundesliga - and doesn't get as many plaudits. Yet, he is one of the most clinical finishers in front of the goal and a guaranteed goal scorer for club and country.

And it was Klose's equaliser that ensured that Germany still have control of Group G going into their final group game against USA and an old coach - Jurgen Klinsmann has done wonders for his adopted country and their match against Portugal on Sunday night will be must-watch TV.

It just shows that for all of Germany's youth end exuberance, the old heads are still vital for a team that still has the jitters, particularly at the back, and will be needed if Germany are to end a 24 year drought without a world title.

Jitters to the giants. It's why this World Cup has been phenomenal so far - and there's still plenty to go.