German control meets Argentine resilience

Germany aim to carry the momentum from their epic win over Brazil into Sunday's (Monday AEST) World Cup final with Argentina in order to end a 24-year title drought.

The German camp will not rest on their laurels from the 7-1 semi-final hammering of the tournament hosts, and they expect a tough decider against an opponent built around Lionel Messi.

A fourth German World Cup, following 1954, 1974 and 1990, would complete the careers of Joachim Loew's golden generation after near misses over the past years.

Argentina, who escaped the Netherlands on penalties to reach the final, are after a third World Cup trophy, following 1978 and 1986, and winning it in the iconic Maracana would be the ultimate insult for the host nation.

Germany won their last title 1-0 against Argentina in 1990, and four years earlier the inspired Diego Maradona carried Argentina 3-2 past Germany for their last crown.

No other teams have met three times in a World Cup final, which is set to be played before 75,000 at Rio's the Maracana stadium.

Germany's awesome midfield and attack will aim to break down a stubborn Argentine defence which has stolen the attention from the frontline of Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria by not letting in a goal in three knock-out games.

Captain Philipp Lahm is aware of the difficulty but also of the golden opportunity to win silverware at last along with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos and company after near misses of third-place finishes in 2006 and 2010, and a 2012 semi-final and 2008 final at the European championships.

"We are optimistic. We want to bring the world title back to Germany at long last," said Lahm.

"Our generation, we all know what it's about now. I think experience is important and we have all played big games.

"There's only one thing to do now - to bring back the cup which we have wanted for so long and for which we have worked towards for so long. That is our job."

Loew has no injury concerns as a slight knee problem will not stop Mats Hummels from taking his place in central defence with Jerome Boateng.

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella will hope that Di Maria can return from a thigh injury that kept him out of the semis, and the Real Madrid man has been back in training.

Di Maria, who scored the 1-0 winner in the last 16 against Switzerland, would add unpredictability to the game and be an important partner for the captain Messi who is yet to improve from his four goals in the group stage.

Higuain will likely remain the striker, with Aguero to start from the bench, and Ezequiel Lavezzi on the left.

Argentina not only hope to bounce back from the lost 1990 final, they also lost to Germany in the last two World Cup quarter-finals 2006 (penalties) and 2010 (2006).

"This (the final) will be the most important match in our career," said Mascherano, who played in the last two meetings.

"We're playing a final and we don't just want to give it away. We can do it, because this team has proved that it can do it, and it is worth a try."

Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez said Argentina was not necessarily out to win pretty because all that counts is the trophy.

"If you can play well, all the better, but I don't care at all: the important thing is to win. This is the match we dreamed of," he said.