Previous World Cup triumphs inspiring underdogs Argentina against Germany

Goalkeeper Romero says squad hope world will speak well of Argentina after World Cup

Argentinia goalkeeper Sergio Romero celebrates during the penalty shoot-out in the Fifa World Cup semi-final against the Netherlands at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on July 9, 2014. SebShow more

RIO DE JANEIRO // Argentina’s players are taking inspiration from heroes of the past as they prepare for their country’s most important match for a generation.

It is 24 years since Argentina last made the final, where they were beaten 1-0 by West Germany in a tense and dull affair. The shirts will be the same colours again in the Maracana on Sunday: Argentina in navy blue, Germany in white.

For Sergio Romero, the Monaco keeper who was the hero in the penalty shoot-out against the Netherlands in the semi-finals, the chance to join the icons of the 1978 and 1986 triumphs is driving this generation of players on, even if Germany are the favourites.

“The most important thing is that our team and our country provide the best image in the eyes of the world, that the world will speak well of Argentina,” Romero told Argentine newspaper Clarin.

“We will remember what the champions of 1978 and 1986 achieved, but we will also try to achieve glory by the fight and heart of this team.

“Maybe for many people it is not the dream final, because they wanted us to play Brazil, but it will be a fantastic game.

“They will be very tough opponents, they scored seven goals in the semi-finals and they did not have to go to extra time, so they have been able to save some energy for the final.”

Romero saved two spot kicks, from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder, to see Argentina through after the match ended 0-0 after extra time.

Romero said minds have been refocused after the euphoria following the semi-final, where clips emerged from the dressing room of the squad singing their fans’ anthem Brasil decime que se siente – Brazil tell me how it feels – to the tune of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Bad Moon Rising.

“The boys enjoyed it. Everyone was shouting and singing in the dressing room, but from the next morning we set our minds on what was coming and how hard it will be to face Germany,” he said.

Coach Alejandro Sabella's biggest concern is whether to pick Angel di Maria, who is struggling with a torn thigh muscle.

Di Maria has had stem cell injections to try to speed his recovery, and his father was quoted by Clarin as saying the Real Madrid winger is desperate to play even if he has not completely recovered.

Miguel di Maria said: “He has been making short sprints, doing everything, and he’s confident he will make it. I also think he will play in the final, even if it is just for a few minutes.”

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