Germany is the 2014 Soccer Champion of the World

Germany’s Götze made an emphatic strike in the 113^th minute making Germany the champion of the 20^th World Cup tournament. Germany won it’s 4^th World Cup gold medal and also becomes the first European country to win a world soccer final in South America. The game was evenly balanced ending 0-0 at full time leading to extra time though Germany had over 60% ball possession. The last two World Cup finals [2006 and 2010] also went into extra time. Germany took the gold trophy and Argentina the silver. Netherlands took the bronze and Brazil took the fourth play-off position. The final was played at Maricana Stadium in Rio Di Jeneiro and was handled by the Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli. Argentina was in deep blue jerseys and shorts and Germany in all white uniforms. Germany knocked out Argentina in the last two world cup tournaments and have done it again in 2014.

The World Cup 2014 Trophy

The match started fast with Germany getting an early free kick in the 2^nd minute which was effectively blocked by Argentina defense. Lionel Messi (Barcelona forward) and Perez played a good game but goals were hard to come by. Argentina defense was tight; out numbering the Germany strikers by at least one or two each time Germany mounted an attack. This is the game plan Germany itself has been using throughout this tournament and Argentina seemed to have mainstreamed it into their game plan to tame them with their own medicine and hence avoid a drabbing like the 7-1 defeat of Brazil.

Argentina forced their first corner in the 10^th minute which was taken by Lavezzi but did not yield anything. Bastian Schweinsteiger played a good game as well for Germany but was marked by two players each time he ran forward with the ball.

Argentina goalkeeper Romero was in impeccable form thwarting the Germans on many occasions. However, the Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was the one awarded the Golden Glove medal and Messi was awarded the Golden Ball medal. The Germany goalkeeper proved that he is the ultimate sweeper - keeper as he made several dives into the air to sweep the goal away from danger.

The World Cup 2014 Trophy Unveiled

Christoph Kramer was badly elbowed in the 17^th minute and picked up an injury that saw him being replaced by super-substitute Schurrle in the 31^st minute. Some mistakes on either sides, saw both teams squandering away some clear opportunities throughout the game and into extra time.

Argentina’s score in the 29^th minute was rightly ruled offside and the goal was disallowed. In the 37^thminute, Romero made a great save and in the 39^th minute Messi literary ran into the goal with the ball but was blocked by Germany defenders just on the touch line. The first half was characterized by a balanced play but Argentina made more serious attempts at goal. The game thus far was not very exciting, and for a moment looked like just like any defensive league game. Both teams made shots with determination but also equally defended. In the 46^th minute Messi volleyed the ball past the right hand goal post. He worked hard and lived up to the expectations of his fans. Sergio Romero was outstanding in the goal post for Argentina as he saved a lot of dangerous shots by a more fluid Germany team. The quality of defending by Argentina was very good. The defensive plan by Germany was as usual man for man plus one or two to effectively thwart Argentina’s ferocious attacks. South American teams have won all the home World Cup final matches but Germany changed all this.

Gotze left

Ozil for Germany tried his best, Javier Mascherano of Argentina was yellow carded in the 64^th minute, Aguero of Argentina got a yellow card in the 65^th minute. Perez for Argentina complimented Messi’s efforts very well.

Argentina dominated the second half. Germany did not pass well in mid field and up front though the defense remained solid.

In extra time Palacio failed to score in the 97^th minute, Messi broke loose several times with no support from the blue jerseys.

Germany’s only goal came from a chest control, turn and shoot antic by Mario Göetze. This was the first goal Argentina has ever conceded in extra time of a World Cup. This 113^th minute goal by Götze received a standing ovation from Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel who was in attendance in the stadium together with the Brazilian President.