SAO PAULO - Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella concedes Germany could have an important edge in Sunday's World Cup final as battered Brazil prepare to salvage a morsel of pride in the third place play-off.

Four-time Player of the Year Lionel Messi's side reached their first final in 24 years after they beat the Netherlands on Wednesday night.

Sabella believes Germany's extra day of rest could offer the three-time European champions a crucial advantage come Sunday. "The match is extremely difficult, and I repeat, the fact they haven't played extra time and we've played two, and played one day after Germany," the coach said.

"We'll see if it's a minor issue, the fact we played after and the Germany game was decided in the first 45 minutes, so they could ease off in the second half, whereas we had to spend all the effort, and every last drop of sweat to reach the World Cup final."

Miroslav Klose, Germany's sole survivor from their 2002 final defeat, says Joachim Loew's, pictured, side must forget their rout of Brazil and seize their chance against Argentina.

The 36-year-old Klose, who scored a record 16th World Cup goal in Tuesday's 7-1 semifinal rout of Brazil, was on the losing side in Yokohama in Brazil's 2-0 victory in 2002.

"We enjoyed the game against Brazil, but we ticked it off after 24 hours. It feels really awful to lose a final, so it's our time to win this one."

Having bettered, then broken Ronaldo's record of 15 World Cup goals during Brazil 2014, Klose said it will all count for nothing if Germany lose to Argentina.

"Yes, I have overtaken Ronaldo as the best goal-scorer, but that is something to take on board another day. If we lose the final, my joy as the top-scorer will be significantly dampened."

Meanwhile, Thomas Mueller has said Germany are eying the World Cup title.

"We haven't reached our goal yet, we will put our foot to the floor once again and put our heart and souls into it to win."