The two semifinals matches that Argentina and Germany emerged victorious from were both memorable for various reasons. For one, Germany's defeat of the mighty Brazil was brilliant, sending the host nation to its knees in a 7-1 win. Neymar and team captain Thiago Silva, who were both counted on to lead the Brazilians, were conspicuously absent in the crucial match due to reasons that they could not control. Argentina, on the other hand, had to face an equally formidable Holland, who has managed to beat last World Cup winner Spain in an almost epic fashion. Ahead of the match, some key members of the Oranje, including Robin van Persie, had came down to a stomach bug.
One could not help but think that the two teams had a little divine intervention.
Before he was elected as the new Pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was a member of the clergy and a proud card-carrying member of a local football club. His predecessor was Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who is formerly known as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger of Germany. Although the pope emeritus is no soccer fan, whispers of a Battle of the Popes have been swirling in social media, more likely because of their geographical origins and the possibility that Pope Francis might have been praying for his native country despite his vow to remain neutral during the World Cup.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi recently confirmed that Pope Francis might, and emphasis of the word "might," watch the final on Sunday between Argentina and Germany. On the other hand, he insisted that the pope will not be watching the match alongside with his German predecessor.
A Vatican insider told The Straits Times why Pope Benedict would rather skip the World Cup final. The source said, "It's really not his thing, he is not a fan. It would be like inflicting an infinite penitence on him at the age of 87. He has never been able to watch a football match from beginning to end in his life".
On the other hand, it had not prevented people, even from the Vatican's own communications team, to poke fun. The Vatican communications member Father Thomas Rosica quipped in a tweet: "Unconfirmed reports in Italian media: large quantities of mate and Fanta delivered to Vatican for private event Sunday" - a reference to the famous Argentine tipple and the German fizzy drink.
