1. Germany -- Sure there's still a game left but even if Germany loses to Argentina, it'd still be an impressive enough loss to keep them ahead of Argentina in my book (did that make sense?). They played well against France, Algeria and USA (three squads that impressed me) and put utter beatdowns on Brazil and Portugal. I'm willing to overlook their lackluster effort against Ghana and I'd even overlook a loss to the great Messi. Germany has just been better than everyone else. I think they're playing better than Argentina, I think they are better than Argentina, I think they will be better than Argentina on Sunday and I suspect they'll stay better than Argentina over the next 2-4 years. Like Roger Federer in his prime, they're not unbeatable but you're surprised any time they lose.
2. Argentina -- They've had an amazing amount of 1-0 wins (Bosnia, Iran, Switzerland, Belgium) and scoreless draw with Netherlands, so you know that defense is getting it done. And Messi has gotten loose just enough to keep the wins coming. They've got a puncher's chance against Germany but I think the Germans are a better squad, deeper, more disciplined, just as focused as the Argentines right now. I kinda half-wanted to see them play Brazil in the 3rd place game but they earned a good win against the Netherlands, they're gonna give Germany all they can handle. But...will Messi be back in 2016? I doubt it, what will this team look like next time around? Obviously Argentina is one of the all-time great squads but when they fail to produce that one singular talent that elevates the team, they tend to flounder. What does the post-Messi look like?
3. Netherlands -- This is a veteran group and they're coming together well enough right now. They drubbed Spain, drubbed Australia (sorta), snuck past Chile, Mexico and Costa Rica, went to penalties against Messi, and they have a good chance to drop a beatdown on Brazil in their homeland. So, yeah, pretty good tournament for them. Too bad they couldn't solve Argentina's defense. And, like Argentina, I wonder how this team holds together going forward. Van Persie and Sneider both looked gassed today and Robben couldn't get it done by himself. The core is still there if they can pour in some fresh talent around them.
4. Colombia -- Impressive. No problems against Ivory Coast (Africa), Greece (Europe), Japan (Asia) or Uruguay (South America). Really deserved better against Brazil (I bet Colombia would've given Germany a game in the semi-finals). James Rodriguez was THE breakout star of this tournament and that is something to build on. If Brazil stays in disarray, Argentina suffer a post-Messi letdown, and Uruguay continues to search for talent, these could be heady days for Colombian soccer. (Yup, even though they lost I'm putting them higher than Brazil if for no other reason than Brazil deserves a downgrade based on that performance against Germany)
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