Ahead of the showpiece, the dream final of many fans would have seen Brazil and Argentina go head-to-head in a feisty Maracana finale, though the hosts' 7-1 semi-final demolition at the hands of Germany denied that.
But instead of the Rio de Janeiro crowd wishing Brazil's conquerors be taken down in similar fashion, their rivalry with Argentina means partisan support is expected for Joachim Low's side.
Brazil's failure to win the tournament on home soil for a second time – after 1950's 'Maracanazo' disaster against Uruguay – the last thing the locals will want to see is Lionel Messi hoisting the trophy high after Argentina's third World Cup triumph.
Both sides have shown character on their respective routes to the final.
Germany were pushed to extra time by Algeria in the last 16, while Alejandro Sabella's Argentina were taken to all the way by Switzerland at the same stage before needing penalties to overcome Netherlands and book a spot in the final.
German coach Franz Beckenbauer had warned his side would be more ready to win four years later in Italy, and he was proven right as a repeat final saw them win 1-0 in the tournament's most tempestuous final.
On home soil in 2006, Germany were typically nerveless in a quarter-final penalty-shootout win, while a post-match brawl showed old tensions remain.
Messi - whose contribution on Sunday will be so closely scrutinised - was just a teenage sensation in that Berlin clash, but he was a global superstar by the time the sides met four years later in Cape Town for another last-eight clash.
However, the Barcelona man was powerless to prevent a humiliating 4-0 defeat as Maradona's ultra-attacking coaching methods were ruthlessly exposed.
Messi's lack of contribution in South Africa saw doubts emerge over his ability to truly take over from Maradona as an icon for an Argentine generation.
This year, though, the skipper single-handedly dragged them through the group stage and, despite a limited contribution to the knock-out rounds, the 2014 World Cup will be remembered as Messi's if Argentina are victorious.
Whether a Brazilian hoping to avoid a national disaster, an Argentinian hoping a legacy is affirmed, a German hoping to shake off doubts or a neutral looking forward to football's finest fixture, Sunday's clash is certain to be special.
