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Sportsweek

Sir Dave Brailsford, though, does think England could be World Cup winners again if more of an accent was placed on the national team.

He says: "It's doable - we've got 64 million people. There's nothing stopping us winning the World Cup. But we have to get serious about it and prioritise it."

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Sportsweek

Image source, Getty Images

Some interesting thoughts about England's World Cup failure from former British Cycling performance director Sir Dave Brailsford - the man behind Team GB's cycling successes at London 2012 - speaking to BBC Radio 5 live.

He says: "It's pretty clear working in sport that Roy Hodgson has a challenging job because in England, we don't prioritise the World Cup, we prioritise the Premier League. While that's the case, we're always going to be on the back foot."

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Sportsweek

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham boss - and former West Germany World Cup finalist - Felix Magath doesn't see Lionel Messi as much of a threat to Germany's chances tonight.

He says: "Lionel Messi hasn't been in the best shape. I don't think he is able to lead Argentina. He is an extraordinary player. In every game, there are moments when he is dangerous, so he will get one or two chances. But we are playing so well, I can almost see him getting no chances."

Image source, El Dia/Rio Negro

The headlines in Argentine newspapers El Dia, external and Rio Negro, external both opt for the front page headline 'Por La Gloria' ahead of tonight's match at the Maracana. It translates as 'For Glory'.

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham manager Felix Magath, a runner-up at the World Cup in 1982 and 1986 with West Germany, sees only one winner tonight, telling BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek: "I'm very confident because in our last game the team made a tremendous impression with the way they beat Brazil and that will give us confidence. I believe the crowd is behind us and we have enough push to beat Argentina.

"I don't believe expectation is too high after that win over Brazil. The players are very experienced. They know how to approach such a game. They will make no mistakes. I see no chance for Argentina."

Image source, Getty Images

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella claims his team need to play "the perfect match" to beat Germany.

"They have a system of play that is very well developed," he says. "We will give our all, as we always have. We'll give our best through humility, sacrifice, hard work, being down to earth and giving before receiving. We will give our all so that Argentina can be champions again."

BBC Radio 5 live

There's more World Cup final analysis - with guests including Fulham manager Felix Magath, who played for West Germany at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups - on Sportsweek with Jonathan Legard, which is just getting under way on BBC Radio 5 live.

BBC Radio 5 live

German football commentator Gunther Koch is very upbeat about tonight's final, telling BBC Radio 5 live: "I think it will perhaps be 2-0. The side is so strong and so full of courage and tactical discipline. All the Germans expect to win. I expect they will win. They have to win - they have been the best team of this World Cup."

Crikey, that is confident. Anyone want to stick up for Argentina?

David in York: Easy choice as a pro-European, Germany to win. They have also grown into the best team at the tournament.

Image source, Berliner Morgenpost

The Berliner Morgenpost, external appears pretty confident about Germany's chances in the final - as cleverly demonstrated on its front page, which uses Scrabble tiles with the players' names, and squad numbers, to spell out the word 'Weltmeister'. In English, that means 'World Champion'.

Image source, Getty Images

The 1934 tournament took place in the shadow of rising fascism in Italy, which had been under the rule of dictator Benito Mussolini since 1922.

It was the hosts who were crowned champions, coming from a goal down to force extra time, when Angelo Schiavio struck the winner.

Throughout the day, Sportsday will be looking back at World Cup finals from the past.

Dobs:, external Once Germany stop Messi from playing, Argentina become rudderless... I tip the Germans for this one.

Bilal Najib:, external My heart says Germany, but my head says it will be Argentina, due to the fact that no continent in history has won three World Cups in a row.

Poppy:, external Easily Germany without a doubt. Argentina been lucky so far. Looking forward to the game.

So it's World Cup final day. For English fans, it might be difficult to choose a team to support - after all, Argentina and Germany have both caused England plenty of heartbreak at major tournaments in the past.

But let's not be parochial here. Who will you be cheering on tonight? Germany or Argentina? And why? Who deserves to be celebrating at the Maracana?

Let us know your thoughts - and explain your choice - via twitter (#bbcworldcup),, external text (81111) or the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Image source, Lionel Messi/Facebook

Argentina's main man Lionel Messi - their four-goal top scorer at this World Cup - took to Facebook, external last night to post a message of inspiration before tonight's final against Germany.

"Tomorrow, we will play the most important match of our lives for our country. My dreams and my hopes are being fulfilled due to the hard work and sacrifice of a team that has given everything from match one. We knew it was possible. Our people, the Argentineans, they have carried us here. But the dream is not over yet - tomorrow we want to win and we are ready!"

Image source, WELT AM SONNTAG

"The game of their lives" is the headline on the front page of German paper Welt am Sonntag,, external which uses a film-poster style on its front page to build up to the final. Will there be a happy ending for Germany?

Image source, @TimKrul/Twitter

Netherlands goalkeeper - and penalty shoot-out hero - Tim Krul:, external We are leaving this World Cup in third place... Great experience and fantastic memories I will remember for ever!

Image source, @BILD AM SONNTAG

"80.8 million hearts" is the headline the front page of German newspaper Bild, external as a nation prepares for tonight's World Cup final.

The paper continues "Today Germany can be fourth time World Cup winners. The hearts of 80.8 million beat for 11. Even Brazilians want us to win!"

Image source, Getty Images

We start our trawl through the archives on 30 July, 1930 - the date of the very first World Cup final, when Argentina faced hosts Uruguay in Montevideo in front of 93,000 fans.

Trailing 2-1 at half-time, Uruguay hit back to win 4-2, with the final goal scored by Hector Castro - a player who accidentally amputated his right forearm with an electric saw when he was 13.

Throughout the day, Sportsday will be looking back at World Cup finals from the past.

Image source, Getty Images

Today is a special day - one that comes round just once every four years. Throughout the day here on Sportsday, we'll be looking back at World Cup finals from the past - some brilliant, some awful.

From the genius of Pele to the hat-trick heroism of Hurst to the best and worst of Zidane, it will all be here - so stay with us for a trip through the archives.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC TV commentator Steve Wilson, who covered last night's third-place play-off:, external A few people asked which is the best World Cup stadium. These are the seven I've been to in my best-worst order: Brasilia (pictured), Rio, Fortaleza, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Recife, Cuiaba.