I watched with rapt attention and consternation, much as I had throughout the tournament, as skilled players cautiously jabbed, looking for an opening, then jabbed some more. Germany’s defense was tidy and Argentina’s, so vulnerable four years ago, was also strong.
Give credit to stalwart Argentine defenders Ezequiel Garay, Marin Demichelis and Pablo Zabaleta. Germany’s Mats Hummels and Philipp Lahm had nothing to be ashamed at the back.
Um, I wanted to wind up with something dramatic here, something completely unexpected, but that would misrepresent the tournament — fun, end-to-end action, but not a lot of surprises. Soccer, I love you. I hate you.
