Substitute Mario Goetze gave Germany a fourth World Cup with a 113th minute goal that was befitting the kind of football this tournament has produced.
Germany's forward Mario Goetze scores. AFP
It also took the 20th World Cup’s goal tally to 171, equalling the highest-ever tally ever to be recorded in the competition. That was in France 1998. This was the first goal by a substitute in a World Cup final since Rudi Voeller for West Germany in 1986.
It also took the 20th World Cup’s goal tally to 171, equalling the highest-ever tally ever to be recorded in the competition. That was in France 1998. This was the first goal by a substitute in a World Cup final since Rudi Voeller for West Germany in 1986.
Goetze goal showed why Germany coach Joaquim Loew said on Saturday that the future’s bright for the first European team to win a World Cup in South America.
A superb ball from Andre Schuerrle, 24, was chested, controlled and placed past Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero by a man who is 22.
A superb ball from Andre Schuerrle, 24, was chested, controlled and placed past Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero by a man who is 22.
At 6:40pm local time, the Germans ended a 24-year wait by getting Goetze into a scrum. The Argentines slumped to the ground.
A lively regulation time amazingly ended with no shot on target for Argentina and only three for Germany. The final touch of inspiration eluded both teams.
Argentina's Lionel Messi shoots as Germany's Benedikt Hoewedes tries to block. AP
With Gonzalo Higuain it definitely did. Toni Kroos --- he was a shadow of the midfield marshal Brazil faced in the semi-final --- headed a ball back to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the 20th minute, not noticing Higuain lurking.
With a clear look on goal, Higuain drove wide. When he did hit it on target, steered Ezequiel Lavezzi’s ball in, Higuain was marginally off-side.
With a clear look on goal, Higuain drove wide. When he did hit it on target, steered Ezequiel Lavezzi’s ball in, Higuain was marginally off-side.
Argentina were more lively in the second half which began with Lionel Messi driving just wide but ended on even terms. Once in each half, Messi was denied by Jerome Boateng with tackles that were game-changers.
Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Argentina's forward Gonzalo Higuain compete for the ball during the final. AFP
Finally, a defender put up a show that was worthy of the occasion.
Messi’s last chance to keep Argentina in the game was a free-kick that he shot over. It summed up the kind of night he had.
Finally, a defender put up a show that was worthy of the occasion.
Messi’s last chance to keep Argentina in the game was a free-kick that he shot over. It summed up the kind of night he had.
Through the day chagrined, Brazilians had watched Argentina fans bouncing into the Maracana.
Argentina's forward Rodrigo Palacio (C) tries to score past Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. AFP
Security guards at metro stations, the huge posse of policepersons and others heard them chorus ‘Brasil, decime qué se siente, tener en casa tu papa’, a song that possibly needs no translation worldwide and ends with the assertion that Maradona is better than Pele.
Security guards at metro stations, the huge posse of policepersons and others heard them chorus ‘Brasil, decime qué se siente, tener en casa tu papa’, a song that possibly needs no translation worldwide and ends with the assertion that Maradona is better than Pele.
It ended with Brazilians lustily cheering the team that spanked them so hard that it will hurt for a long, long time. Brazil’s worst nightmare - that of Argentina winning a World Cup in their backyard - didn’t come true and that sure call.
HT
No comments:
Post a Comment