Midfield general Mascherano makes dream reality

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Argentina had to rely upon their leader and Barcelona star to squeeze past the Netherlands and reach their first FIFA World Cup Final™ for 24 years, but it wasn't the one they expected.

Javier Mascherano continued his fine World Cup with a last-ditch tackle deep into stoppage time to prevent Arjen Robben's goalbound effort from breaking the deadlock before Argentina prevailed on penalties.

"It was more my job. When Robben took a heavy touch, he lost a second, and I was able to make the challenge. I did what anyone would have done," Mascherano argued modestly afterwards.

Whilst four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi carries the armband and provides the stardust, Mascherano is the heart and soul of this Argentina side.

If Messi leads by his example, Mascherano is the vocal leader. The latest example of that coming before the penalty shoot-out against the Dutch when "the little chief" could be seen telling goalkeeper Sergio Romero, "tonight you become a hero in Argentina." Romero went onto make the two crucial saves in the shoot-out.

Mascherano had been captain at the last World Cup under Diego Maradona, who claimed after taking the job his side would be "Mascherano and 10 more."

And with the current Argentinian side on the verge of emulating his achievements of winning the World Cup in 1986, it was Mascherano not Messi who earned the plaudits of Maradona.

"When I said it was Mascherano and 10 more, they laughed," he said on Wednesday. "Now they cannot laugh. The example on the pitch is Mascherano. Everyone follows his rhythm so they cannot score against us."

Score against them is what no one has managed to do in the knockout phase and Argentina had battled their way to the final in a way no one expected. 

Backline bodyguard
Messi's has been a World Cup of moments rather than spell-binding dominance, whilst the other three of La Albiceleste's fantastic four: Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria have all been affected by a lack of fitness or form.

Instead it is the work of Mascherano patrolling his backline that has contributed to four clean sheets in six games in Brazil. His form is all the more amazing given he hasn't played his preferred role at club level for four years since signing for Barcelona.

Converted into a central defender by Pep Guardiola, Mascherano has experienced highs and lows at Barcelona with his lack of height and pace often exploited in the last line of defence. Yet, so beloved is he within the club that last month he was rewarded with a new contract until 2018.

"I would never, ever sell him and I wouldn't swap him for anyone," Guardiola said before his exit from the club in 2012.

That change of position has also had its benefits for Argentina. Playing at Barcelona has greatly improved Mascherano's distribution and he has played more passes at a higher success rate than any other player at the World Cup.

The biggest test of his capabilities is yet to come, though, in denying a rampant German side that smashed hosts Brazil 7-1 in the other semi-final.

"We know that on Sunday we will play the game of our lives. We hope to crown this with the trophy, but either way I feel so proud of this squad," he added. "It is a dream for all of us to return Argentina to this possibility."

A possibility that exists thanks to Mascherano's sense of timing.

Portugal's midfield lions ready to roar

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At first sight William Carvalho and Joao Moutinho appear to have little in common. While the former stands 6’1 tall and has won only four caps for Portugal, the latter measures only 5’7 and has the small matter of 68 international appearances under his belt. On closer inspection, however, William and Moutinho have both a shared past and future together, one they hope will involve success for their national team at Brazil 2014.

The existing link between them is Sporting CP. The Lisbon side has the honour of being the only club in the world to have reared two FIFA World Players in Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo and has made a habit of bringing through high-quality wide midfielders and wingers, with the likes of Paulo Futre, Simao Sabrosa and Nani having also come through the Leões youth ranks. The national side has been a direct beneficiary of their excellent work at youth level.

Moutinho made his Sporting debut at the age of only 17 in 2004/05, going on to become the club’s youngest-ever captain and spend six successful seasons with Os Verde-e-Brancos. Nearly ten years on, Sporting fans can take pride in his development into a player of genuine international class.

William arrived as a virtual unknown at the Estadio Jose Alvalade at the start of the 2013/14 season. However, much like Moutinho, he needed little time to convince the fans and the pundits. A classic defensive midfielder who goes about his work effectively and with a minimum of fuss, he first came into the Portugal squad for the Brazil 2014 play-off against Sweden and did enough thereafter to earn his place on the 23-man list for the FIFA World Cup finals. 

The secret is to have great professionals who give all the support they can to the younger players, people who have a great vision of the future

William Carvalho, Portugal midfielder

So what then is the secret of Sporting’s ability to unearth young talent and nurture it?

Answering that question for FIFA, William said: “There are five or six players in the national side who learned their football at Sporting, which I think says a lot about all the good work that’s done at the training schools.”

The other Leões youth products in Paolo Bento’s squad are Beto, Rui Patricio, Miguel Veloso, Nani, Varela and Moutinho, who said: “The secret is to have great professionals who give all the support they can to the younger players, people who have a great vision of the future.” Heaping praise on the head of Sporting’s scouting department, he said: “In my case and lots of others, the great professional in question is Aurelio Pereira.”

The first time
Despite the fact that they belong to two different generations of Portugal players, with Moutinho five years William’s senior at the age of 27, both players are preparing to make their World Cup debuts. “Obviously it’s a great honour for me to be in Brazil,” said the older of the two. “God intended for this to be my first world finals.”

Though Moutinho was surprisingly overlooked for South Africa 2010, he has still managed to win 68 caps for his country ahead of Monday’s meeting with Germany. Midfield partner William, who was born in Angola, is a good deal less experienced, and is the first to admit it: “At the start of the season I just didn’t expect to be here, though I put in some good performances for Sporting and I’m about to do what every player dreams of: play in a World Cup.”

United by their past at one of Portugal’s biggest clubs, William and Moutinho are about to embark together on what they hope will be a thrilling and unforgettable adventure in Brazil.