Four key battles that will decide who wins tonight

GERMANY midfielder Sami Khedira v Argentina forward Lionel Messi

Stopping Messi will be Germany’s priority and they are unlikely to give the job to just one player. The Germans have been studying how the Netherlands kept Messi relatively subdued in the semifinal, although they have not given any clues how they intend to go about the job themselves.

Defender Benedikt Hoewedes, who helped subdue Cristiano Ronaldo in the 4-0 win over Portugal, said it was important to swarm Messi and not get caught in a one-on-one contest.

As Messi has effectively been a playmaker in the World Cup, German defensive midfielder Khedira is likely to have the role of keeping him under wraps.

Khedira worked tirelessly to help close down the Brazilian midfield in his side’s epic 7-1 semifinal win on Tuesday.

Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain v Germany defender Mats Hummels.

Higuain has started all of Argentina’s matches bar the opening game against Bosnia, and has played the often unforgiving role as target man.

Although his goal haul has been disappointing, limited to the early strike in the 1-0 quarterfinal win over Belgium, his movement causes defenders endless problems, pulling them out of position to open space for Messi to thread balls through to Ezequiel Lavezzi or run at the defence himself.

Hummels is strong in the air and more versatile than defensive partner Jerome Boateng.

Higuain came out tops when he clashed with Hummels in the Champions League this season, scoring the first goal in Napoli’s 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.

Germany forward Thomas Mueller v Argentina defender Marcos Rojo.

Mueller has been one of the outstanding players of the tour- nament with five goals and was the architect of the 4-0 win over Portugal and the 7-1 demolition of Brazil in the semifinals.

Apart from his speed and clinical finishing, Mueller’s secret is his instinctive understanding of space. He is invariably in the right place at the right time.

The Bayern Munich player is usually found on the right side of the attack where left back Marcos Rojo is for the South Americans.

Sporting defender Rojo was far from a unanimous choice at the start but has had an excellent tournament, helping to steady a previously rocky ship.

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos v Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Kroos was one of the outstanding players in Germany’s win over Brazil as he showed with the fourth goal when he dispossessed Fernandinho, played a one-two and scored into an empty net.

If he plays on the left of midfield again, he may fall into Mascherano’s sphere of influence, setting up one of the key battles in the match.

Mascherano has been outstanding for Argentina and played a key role in helping subdue Arjen Robben during the semifinal against the Netherlands. —