Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano has suggested that the key to stopping Germany in the World Cup final is to restrict the space available to them.

Germany produced a free-flowing attacking display to thrash Brazil 7-1 in their semi-final, and Mascherano believes that it is important for Argentina to learn from the mistakes made by the hosts after booking their own spot at the Maracana with a penalty shootout triumph over the Netherlands.

"On Wednesday we played like we did against Belgium - we didn't give them any options," the 30-year-old told FIFA.com. "Now we will study Germany. Obviously we can't afford to give them the space that Brazil did.

"It will be a final we must play with patience and calm, with hunger and heart."

Sunday's meeting at the Maracana is a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals.

Written by
Callum Mulvihill