The most anticipated
game in sports – the World Cup final kicked off this afternoon 13/07/14 at the
famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. It was a South America versus Europe
affair featuring the Argentines and Germany or, as some would prefer to say –
Messi vs. Germany. It was the Germans who got the upper hand the last few times
that these two teams clashed at the World Cup, with the Europeans winning the
most recent encounters in 2010, 2006 and 1990. However, the last time the two
finalists clashed on the American continent in the 1986 World Cup final, it was
Argentina coming out as victors. The Germans didn’t have history on their side either
as no European team had ever won a World Cup in the Americas. That said,
history was always there to be made. Both teams started the game rather
cautiously with no real good scoring opportunity coming until the 20th
minute when Higuain should have given Argentina the lead after intercepting a
poor header from Toni Kroos but he hit wide.
Argentina thought they
had taken the lead in the 32nd minute through Higuain but the goal
was ruled out for offside. In the 33rd minute Germany was forced to
make a substitution as Kramer was taken off and replaced by Schurrle. Messi
then had a chance to give Argentina the lead in the 36th minute but
his shot went too high and the Germans survived. Schurrle then tested Romero in
the Argentine goal with a powerful shot which the Argentine custodian was
forced to save. Messi then found his way behind the German defense but some
resilient defending prevented the Argentine Maestro from getting a potential
goal. A quick German attack moments later gave Kroos an opportunity but his
weak header was easily handled by Romero in the Argentine goal. Germany would
then win a corner which was quickly put out for another corner. The ensuing one
was headed off the post by Howedes but Muller was adjudged to be in an offside
position. At the half both teams went in the dressing rooms at 0-0.
At the resumption it
would be the Argentines who dominated the early possession as they spent the
early moments in the German penalty area but Higuain was called for offside.
Messi should have given the Argentines the lead moments later but his shot went
just wide of the German goal. Germany would win a corner in the 55th
minute but the chance was wasted by a German foul in the area. Klose then had a
half chance from a cross from Lahm but his tame header was easily handled by
Romero. In the 62nd minute Argentina would win a corner but the
opportunity was wasted and the Germans survived. Mascherano would then find
himself in the referee’s book for a poor challenge on Klose. Aguero would soon
get another yellow card for Argentina for another bad challenge. In the 77th
minute Argentina would make change as Palacio replaced Higuain. Germany then
missed a golden opportunity to go in front as Kroos’ effort went just wide.
Gago would then come off the bench to replace Perez for Argentina.
Klose would then be
replaced by Gotze for Germany in the 88th minute. The teams couldn’t
be separated in regulation time, so it was now on to extra time. At the start
of extra time it was the Germans who started the brighter of the two as
Schurrle would test Romero with a great shot. But the Argentine custodian
couldn’t be beaten. There were no major happenings in first half extra time and
at the end of the period it was still scoreless. At the quick resumption
Germany would be awarded a free kick for a challenge on Schweinsteiger, but the
effort was wasted as it did little to trouble the Argentine defense. Schweinsteiger would have to be temporarily
taken off after receiving an injury to his face which required stitches. He would
soon be back on though. Then came the one defining moment in the match as a great ball
played to Mario Goetze from Schurrle enabled him to control the ball with his
chest and fire past Romero in the Argentine goal. 1-0 Germany. Messi would soon
get a great opportunity to level scores for Argentina but his free kick was too
high. In the end, after a hard fought battle, Germany became the first European
team to win the World Cup on South American soil, their fourth in the process and their first since their reunification.
German players celebrate their World Cup triumph after
defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time.
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