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Netherlands national football team
World Cup | Semi-Finals
Jul 9, 2014 at 9pm UK
 
Argentina national football team

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Argentina win 4-2 on penalties

Franz Beckenbauer warns of Lionel Messi "genius"

Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer urges his compatriots to remember that "one stroke of genius" from Lionel Messi could hand Argentina World Cup glory on Sunday.

Franz Beckenbauer has warned Germany that "one stroke of genius" from Argentina star Lionel Messi could dash their World Cup hopes in Sunday's final in Rio de Janeiro.

The South Americans booked their place at the Maracana after producing a solid defensive performance en route to beating the Netherlands in a penalty shootout on Wednesday.

The Barcelona ace enjoyed a goal-laden group stage but has since been unable to add to his four-goal haul in the knockout rounds. However, Beckenbauer insists that Germany cannot afford to discount the "superstar".

"To overcome this defence will be a huge challenge for the Germans," the 68-year-old, who won the competition with Germany as a player and a coach, told The Hindustan Times.

"And of course, there is the superstar Lionel Messi, who, if you don't keep him under control, could decide the final with one stroke of genius."

Sunday's showpiece kicks off at 8pm.

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Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi celebrates scoring during the Group F football match between Argentina and Iran at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on June 21, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

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Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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