Germany became World Cup champion for the fourth time on Sunday night, and the first European team in history to clinch soccer’s greatest prize on South American soil. It did so courtesy of a winner deep into extra time from substitute Mario Gotze, who displayed a brilliant piece of skill to decide a contest of outstanding quality. Gotze took a pass from the left from Andre Schurrle in the 113th minute of action, trapped it on his chest and swiveled it past Sergio Romero and into the Argentinanet. The goal proved to be enough to give Germany a 1-0 victory.
For the second World Cup in a row scores were level after 90 minutes, but unlike when Spain beat the Netherlands four years ago this was no snoozefest. It was tense and cagey and royally entertaining. And it was sealed by a 22-year-old who had come on as substitute for Miroslav Klose with just two minutes of regulation time remaining. Gotze’s strike was the first time Argentina had trailed in the entire tournament and sent his nation into delirium, securing its first world title since 1990.
For Argentina it was agony. Lionel Messi and his team came so close but it wasn’t enough. In the end, the Germans were too strong, too clinical, and in every way the best all-round collection of players at this event. Argentina had the best early chance, the kind that leaves forwards holding their head if they miss them. This time the unfortunate man was Gonzalo Higuain, who was sent through by an ill-conceived backward header from Germany’s Toni Kroos. But Higuain scuffed his shot completely with only Manuel Neuer to beat.
Germany’s possession game was slick and sharp but missing a little extra ingredient. Sami Khedira had been ruled out through a late injury, then his replacement Christoph Kramer went down with a sickening head clash midway through the first half, bringing Schurrle into the fray. The Germans should have gone ahead on the stroke of halftime, with Benedikt Howedes surging forward to aim a powerful header at goal, only for his effort to crash against the post with Romero beaten.
While Messi toiled and teased in the second half it was Germany that was taking control and Toni Kroos, one of the players of the tournament, marked an uncharacteristically sloppy display with a tame shot with nine minutes of normal time to go. The pace did not slacken, not a bit. It was relentless; Sergio Aguero broke clear at the other end and foolishly tried to shoot from an angle instead of cutting back, while substitute Rodrigo Palacio, on for Higuain, went clear minutes later but skewed his attempted lob over Neuer but wide of net.
Penalties had been used as a decisive factor in the World Cup final just twice before – when Brazil beat Italy at the Rose Bowl in 1994 and when Italy defeated France following Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt in 2006. Just when potential takers were being discussed around the iconic Maracana Stadium it was time for Gotze, one of Europe’s most heralded youngsters, to step up. He stepped quickly to move clear of the defense, with balance to steady himself – and forwards, into history.
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