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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Trivial stat: Did you know Uruguay are recognised at four time world champions? Recently FIFA where asked why Uruguay have 4 stars on their shirt. As is common knowledge, only FIFA permits the use of stars on a teams shirt. Anyway the 1924 and 1928 Olympic football was actually the precursor to the FIFA World Cup founded in 1930. The 1924 and 1928 Olympic football was actually the 'FIFA amateur world championships'. Hence why Uruguay are the only nation to win the World Cup three consecutive times: 1924, 1928 and 1930. So Uruguay are in fact the first footballing superpower.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Why are you thinking about Australia vs Israel? They are both tough teams.
Casper
Guest
Nothing screams dedicated football fan more than waiting for confirmation of the regional figures. I reckon you would make a great train spotter.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Regional figures now posted by MediaWeek = 262k (which is 50k higher than I'd forecast... nice to be wrong!).
clipper
Guest
Yes, that could be argued. They have played more matches, reached the semi finals two more times than Brazil, been in the finals one more time and have scored more goals. Brazil have participated in two more World Cups, won more matches have won it 5 times as opposed to 4 and have conceded less goals than Germany, so you can make a case for both.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Looks like massive ratings across Australia for the World Cup Finale. Just waiting for confirmation of Regional figures but, applying regional share over the other 63 matches of 24% (i.e. regional audience has been 24% of the Metro audience over 63 matches) the total should be: Metro: 883k (via Mediaweek) Regional: 212k (based on regional viewing patterns for 63 other matches) Online streaming: 248k (via Toby Forage, Executive Producer, Sport Online, SBS Social TV) Total: 1.34 million This only refers to household viewing. It does not include thousands watching in bars, casinos, cafes, football club rooms. Remember, the match kicked off at 5:00 a.m. on a working day & school day. Extraordinary stuff.
Steve Kerr
Roar Rookie
He might be talking about the Franco-Prussian war or something like that, so I guess it's not technically 'Godwin's Law' this time :-)
Glenn Innes
Guest
Casper- When talking about interchange Fuss was comparing team sports not individual sports like boxing or tennis so his point is valid.In Football you can't come off and have a blow and a cup of tea and return to the action when you are feeling up to it again. Futbanbanous you make a very valid if somewhat "politically incorrect" point. Qualifying via Asia is great because it means we will usually at least get an invite to the big dance but in any competitive activity whether it be Football,Snooker or Debating the quickest way to improve is by competing against people who are much better than you are,,,and Europe and South America are still the cutting edge in Football. and to a degree we are isolated from them.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
I think they're being a bit silly Fussball given some of the comments they make about "sokkah". But seeing its been such a successful tournament and Australia got some credit out of it, if not only for the $10 million just for turning up, the critics have been a bit silent. Its about this time that Rebecca Wilson trots out her boring anti-sokkah pieces. She'll need to get a move on before the momentum for the A-League and Asian Cup starts to build.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
I think we're all a bit guilty of that and not just Fussball, who makes some excellent contributions to the discussions. Its understandable that people who don't fully understand a sport will make sarcastic comments about what they do not understand. For someone who enjoys 40 or 50 goals per game there will no doubt be some derision at a scoreless result after 90 minutes. That doesn't mean those 90 minutes are not absorbing or enthralling to those that are embroiled in the sport. And also perhaps not understand the lack of interchange for such a draining and physical match. I found the scoreless 90 minutes and the winning goal deep into extra time pure drama and far more watchable than the 7-1 thrashing.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
If he wasn't a migrant football commentator, he would be Sir Les Murray by now for his services to the game of football in this country.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
The refereeing and off-side calls were spot on in this tournament and no assisted technology, just human judgement. The goal line technology was a winner and absolutely seamless.
Pats
Guest
Thought the interchange reference was pretty hard to miss...perhaps not!
WoobliesFan
Guest
Maradona was sublime.....without equal.....Pele could be argued is the only true equal. everyone else apart from these two is second best its just the way it is
dasilva
Roar Guru
I don't think Johan Cruyff played in the 1978 World Cup. in fact Johan Cruyff boycott the tournament as he objected to Argentina's rightwing military junta.
pjckmen marrio
Roar Rookie
Germany will win the World Cup 2014. Very nice :D
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Oh dear. A relatively innocuous comment about sports with interchange rules has caused a meltdown by the ARFers. Where is their sense of humour? Don't they understand satire? Oh well ... Smell The Fear. :-D
Post_hoc
Guest
I am a huge fan of Hummels and I believe his partnership with Boateng is spot on, two different types of players Hummels height and vision, and Boantengs speed, just perfect
Post_hoc
Guest
Football is a simple game, 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end then the Germans always win. Or words to that affect :) Thank You Mr Lineker
Post_hoc
Guest
Does this qualify as a Godwin?