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Germany win 2014 World Cup Final 1-0

Mario Goetze scores for Germany in the World Cup final (Source: Twitter)
13th July, 2014
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Germany‘s Mario Gotze scored in the 113th minute of the World Cup final against Argentina to give the Germans their first victory in the showpiece tournament since 1990.

Gotze’s goal was the culmination of plenty of pressure from the side that had been consistently the best throughout the tournament, and was enough for a 1-0 victory in extra time.

WATCH FULL HIGHLIGHTS OF GERMANY’S 2014 WORLD CUP FINAL VICTORY

The win gives Germany their fourth World Cup title, and they become the first European side to win a World Cup final on South American soil.

In what was a high quality and tense final, it took until the second period of extra time to separate the two sides.

Forward Andre Shurrle pressed forward on the left, and knocked a cross into the box in the direction of the substitute.

Gotze took the ball on the chest, knocking it past Romero with a diving left foot strike.

It was the most important moment of the 22-year-old’s career, and this second goal of the tournament.

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The outnumbered German crowd was sent into raptures as the deadlock was finally broken, while Argentinean fans were predictably in tears.

The high quality final was tense throughout, with both teams’ defence stout in the face of plenty of ball movement from both sides.

Two of the best chances of the match came early in extra time, one for both sides.

Striker Andre Shurlle had Germany’s, in the opening minutes of the additional period, blasting a shot straight into the pouch of Romero, who batted it away.

Argentina then reciprocated through Palacio, who chested a ball into the area and found himself one on one with the goalkeeper. A tough chip of the keeper was too much to execute, however, and Germany were given a breather.

The game was one of the highest quality of the World Cup, with both sides coming out aggressively from the outset.

Argentina had the best of the opening exchanges, but Germany held strong. Their defence was good enough to counter the onslaught of Messi and Higuain, and they were confident working out from the back.

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Argentina and Messi were left squandering a handful of gilt-edged chances, including one that fell to Messi in the second half.

Messi was largely anonymous for most of the evening and his miserable evening was summed up when a late free-kick to equalise sailed over the bar.

An absorbing first half saw Germany forced into a reshuffle moments before kick-off with inexperienced Christoph Kramer replacing Sami Khedira after the Real Madrid star injured a calf in the warm up.

Bastian Schweinsteiger ran the German midfield as they laid siege to Argentinian territory, passing smoothly and denying Messi a route into the game.

Yet for all Germany’s early dominance they created little in the way of clear chances.

And it was Argentina who were presented with a glorious chance to open the scoring.

Toni Kroos misdirected a header back to Manuel Neuer to send Gonzalo Higuain racing through on goal.

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But with only Neuer to beat the Napoli striker dragged his shot wide to disbelief from fans and team-mates.

Germany continued to probe for openings, and a Philipp Lahm pass almost put Thomas Mueller clear.

Moments later, Argentina had the ball in the net only to see the goal disallowed for offside.

Messi released Lavezzi down the right who swept in a low cross for Higuain who drilled his finish past Neuer before wheeling away in delight.

Higuain’s roar of celebration was cut short however after Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli whistled, correctly, for offside.

Andre Schuerrle drew a fine near-post save from Romero on 37 minutes with a rasping shot after Mueller’s cutback.

On the stroke of half-time Benedikt Hoewedes came within inches of scoring, crashing a header from a Kroos corner against the post.

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The second half followed a similar pattern, Germany controlling possession but Argentina often threatening on the break.

Messi squandered another golden Argentinian chance two minutes after the restart, latching onto a pass from Lucas Biglia but scuffing his shot wide of Neuer.

The remainder of the half saw neither stride able to get on top. Penalties looked to be the likeliest outcome, but Goetze had other ideas.

With AFP

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