If Germany think their World Cup drought has gone on for far too many years, they need to speak to their Argentine counterparts today.
It may have been 24 years since a German lifted the most prestigious trophy in sport, yet one needs to go back another four years to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City when, led by the peerless Diego Maradona, Argentina were crowned the best in the world.
Both those finals were contested by these two powerhouses.
The third promises to be every bit as intriguing.
Too much heartbreak has ensued since.
From Maradona’s shame at being tested positive for drugs in 1994 to a South African thrashing at the hands of Germany four years ago, the South Americans who have always boasted supreme talents but failed to deliver when it counts.
No semi-finals since 1990 says it all.
In the time elapsed since those heady days in 1986, arch-rivals Brazil have won this tournament twice.
Nothing will give Alejandro Sabella, his players and the estimated 100,000 Argentina fans in Rio more motivation than finally putting that sorry statistic to bed.
Yet there is a feeling in Buenos Aires that this really is Lionel Messi’s moment, the chance for the maestro to emulate Maradona and finally once more put those wearing the famous white and blue stripe on top of football’s summit once more.
The fear for Sabella though is his best players are not available.
He refused to rule out Angel Di Maria last night but, in truth, the Real Madrid midfielder’s chances of fully recovering from the thigh injury picked up in the quarter final win over Belgium are slim at best.
The fact that Sergio Aguero remains a long way from full-fitness is also a monumental blow.
Sabella though is hoping national pride will be enough to see his men through to an epic triumph.
“We’ll 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,” he said. “We will give our all so that Argentina can be a champion once again. We’re very happy, very pleased with the way we’ve been improving. And we’re happy to see the happiness in our people, bringing this joy to our people back home.”
A career which saw Sabella play for Sheffield United in the 1970’s, now sees this quietly spoken tactician take on the biggest, most daunting challenge of his career.
He shudders to think about just how far he’s come.
“I thought I was going to be balding, for starters, as age went on, “ he smiled. “I’ve never been someone who thinks much about things in the long-term. I look short-term.Now we’re talking about 35 years ago. It was unthinkable that this might happen.”
Tonight here in the Maracana, reality will bite for Sabella and Argentina
