Whatever happened in Monday morning’s World Cup final, it has been an exhilarating tournament. Germany and Argentina have both played their part in restoring some faith in the world of football.
Going into the World Cup, there was plenty of scrutiny on the fact Brazilian authorities had by and large failed to build the infrastructure required to host the world’s biggest sporting event.
And when Brazil kicked off the tournament against Croatia at a cobbled-together Arena de Sao Paulo just over a month ago, it looked like the tournament could be another FIFA-run debacle.
When Fred was awarded a hugely contentious penalty, the conspiracy theorists howled that the host nation was going to be granted a guaranteed passage to the final.
Unfortunately, the soothsayers failed to bargain on the presence of Germany, and Brazil’s humiliation was completed with a dismal 3-0 thrashing at the hands of the Netherlands in Sunday’s third-place playoff.
The Dutch were one of the surprise packages of the tournament – much changed from the team that reached the 2010 final under Bert van Marwijk, but no less effective under Manchester United-bound Louis van Gaal.
Yet it was neighbours Germany who really impressed, finally putting years of potential into practice by winning their first World Cup final since 1990.
I stuck my neck out and predicted a 2-0 win for the Germans pre-game, and I wasn’t too far off – but Jogi Löw’s side have produced some simply thrilling football in the World Cup, capped off by Mario Götze’s goal in the second period of extra time.
Thomas Müller rattled home five goals and had a chance to finish above Colombian hotshot James Rodriguez. While the Bayern Munich star has been in scintillating form, so too have several of his teammates.
Real Madrid must be laughing at fellow moneybags Paris Saint-Germain’s misfortune, after the Spaniards landed Germany’s star midfielder Toni Kroos – while PSG console themselves with the signing of Brazilian anti-hero David Luiz.
Kroos has proved himself to be an eminently capable playmaker – has anyone else forgotten all about Marco Reus? – and perhaps Bayern’s unwillingness to pay Kroos a top-shelf salary is a rare piece of bad business by the Bavarians.
But while Germany has the likes of Müller, Kroos and World Cup record goal scorer Miroslav Klose to thank for their place atop the World Cup mountain, Argentina too has had plenty of stars.
Lionel Messi claimed the Golden Ball for himself – though you would have thought he’d need a hat-trick to win it outright.
But it’s the terrier-like Javier Mascherano who has really made a difference, to the point that it would be a shame to see the Barcelona bulldog end up on the losing side.
Mascherano has looked an absolute world-beater in the colours of La Albiceleste, suggesting that international football still holds an allure unmatched in the world of football.
And for all its myriad problems, not least the sheer cost of putting on a tournament which has led to the displacement of thousands of Brazilians, the World Cup has delivered where it matters most – on the pitch.
Hopefully Monday’s final continued the theme of fascinating football, although given what’s at stake, it’s never a surprise to see a cagey affair.
However, that would be out of character for a tournament which has seen plenty of die-hard fans fall back in love with the sport.
And if the 2014 FIFA World Cup has taught us anything, it’s that for all the off-field dramas, football is still a contest which captures the heart and mind like no other.
Here’s to a fitting climax to what has been a wonderful tournament then, with fans the real winners of this stunning World Cup.
pjckmen marrio
Roar Rookie
I am glad I found your video today. I recommend it to everyone.. Thanks for your work!!
Jonny G
Guest
Toni Kroos was fantastic in my opinion. Very underrated player. The guy was fantastic during the whole world cup
Rusty0256
Guest
Are you kidding? I'm sure at least in Maradona's mind he would have been subbed on (naturally in place of Messi) in the first half of extra time, scored a hatrick and won the WC for Argentina and player of the tournament in doing so.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Will have to read that soon. But what you say seems to be the main gripe that Brazilians have. All these things have been made for the convenience of tourists without giving much consideration to the locals. They're glad transport is better but what's the point if it's no longer affordable? What percentage of Brazilians have any use for an airport? As with any of these events, we won't know its true impact for another 10yrs. The economic status of Brazil in the mid 2020s will be very telling, of course taking into consideration everything else that happens in between. All i know is that there were a lot of Brazilians annoyed about this event which is a huge statement in itself. Yes they quietened down to some extent during the event (although some of the footage I've seen over the past month contradicts that) I wouldn't be surprised to see some of that discontent resurface come the elections in a few months.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
I didn't see Maradona on the field in this tournament.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
Its not just the stadiums, its the infrastructure, transport and airport improvements that allowed millions of tourists to move around Brazil relatively smoothly during the five weeks of this tournament. Then we have the Olympics in a couple of years, the Coppa America, South American tournaments, WC qualification tournaments and so on. This is Brazil not Qatar, there will never be a football pitch in Brazil that will ever be "underutilised". http://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/Sustainable_Brazil_-_World_Cup/$FILE/copa_2014.pdf
Realfootball
Guest
I was simply astounded. Never in a million years did Messi deserve that trophy. And he knew it. Wonderful player, burnt out and out of form and enthusiasm. For me, Maradona was a significantly better player.
Hamish Alcorn
Guest
Yep
Stratty
Guest
My partner is Brazilian and the issue is that the people rarely see the $ that is generated from taxes, these type of events etc.Some of their health & education conditions are horrendous while their politicians take massive pay increases, increase taxes to further line their pockets. That's why all the big protests by Brazilians worldwide occurred last year, over a 20c equivalent bus ticket rate increase, twas the straw that broke the camel's back. I wonder with the capitulation of their football team and the World Cup ending, if things will blow up again?
Stratty
Guest
My partner is Brazilian and the issue is that the people rarely see the $ that is generated from taxes, these type of events etc.Some of their health & education conditions are horrendous while their politicians take massive pay increases, increase taxes to further line their pockets. That's why all the big protests by Brazilians worldwide occurred last year, over a 20c equivalent bus ticket rate increase, twas the straw that broke the camel's back. I wonder with the capitulation of their football team and the World Cup ending, if things will blow up again?
Punter
Guest
Exactly AZ, players like Robben, Ronaldo, Neymar & Suarez have all got bad reputations as far as diving goes, but in my eyes this does not take away their ability to play the game as much as their diving is both infuriating & embarrassing.
fadida
Guest
Agree AR. Appalling decision. Messi was sedate in all of the knockout games. We are talking about FIFA though. Merit doesn't come into it
fadida
Guest
Disagree BES. Jack is 100% correct. We also know that despite how many hundreds (thousands?) of deaths, not to mention humanitarian crimes, that occur in Qatar around the WC the likes of BES will say "It doesn't matter, it was a great world cup with plenty of goals." It is a football issue, hence the comment is on the football tab
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Wow amazing,are the Portland fans allowed to take their chainsaw and smoke machines with them I wouldn't be surprised if they are caught this vision of the yanks celebrating goals against Portugal,check out the big sign top right hand side haha......obviously not the same hangups about the 'h' word over therehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEeL6CkMF-g
AZ_RBB
Guest
It's a reputation he has had for nearly a decade now. Referees should by this stage be wary of it. But when a player has such dribbling talent I don't blame a referee for thinking it's a foul when he hits the deck.
AR
Guest
Yeah agree. He's a seasoned talent with an enormous workrate, but he leaves this tournament with his reputation cemented as one of the biggest divers.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I though Robben was unbelievable in every game he played but his heavy use of gamesmanship and simulation throughout makes it hard for me to support his claim for the Golden Ball.
AR
Guest
"Mueller, Roben, Rodriguez, even Neuer were better." Maybe not Robben for me, but I'd put the other 3 ahead of Messi.
Punter
Guest
Wow, that saying is that Messi wasn't even the best in Argentina team. In the knockout stage I would not disagree with you, he was outstanding against Holland, great today, & very good against the Belgium.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
For me it was Mascherano