Argentina are not intimidated by facing Germany in the World Cup final despite seeing them tear hosts Brazil to shreds in the semis, striker Gonzalo Higuain said on Wednesday.
“There’s no intimidation, not at all. There is respect. They will also be worried that Argentina is in the final,” Higuain told reporters.
Germany thrashed Brazil 7-1 on Tuesday in one of the most shocking results in soccer history, but Higuain said Argentina had no reason to fear anyone.
“We’re in the final and the other stuff doesn’t matter. Everyone who plays struggles and fights to the death.”
Argentina beat the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time in their semi-final on Wednesday.
Alejandro Sabella, the Argentina coach, said it had been a very difficult and tight game.
“I’m very happy because we reached the final and now we will see what we can do,” he said.
“We will give everything as usual, with humility, work and 100 percent effort.”
He voiced concern over having less time to recover for Sunday’s final in Rio de Janeiro than Germany who were able to rest players in the second half of their game against Brazil with the result all but secure.
“We could do with a couple more days to rest, but what is important is that we made it to the final,” he said. “Let’s see how we handle it.
“Some of players are sore, beaten, tired. It is the result of a ‘war’ and we will give you the full report as to the casualties tomorrow.”
He said he was happy with his team’s performance, but singled out midfielder Javier Mascherano who kept out Arjen Robben’s effort on goal with a brilliantly timed tackle near the end of normal time with the score at 0-0.
“Mascherano is a symbol,” he said.
“I would say he is an outstanding player. He is an emblem within our national squad on the field of play as well as off it.”
Substitute Sergio Aguero converted a penalty in the shootout.
“It means so many things, a lot of people didn’t think that Argentina would be in the final, but we know what a good team we have,” he said.