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| Gotze's lone goal was enough for victory. Photo Credit: Diego Azubel/EPA |
The latest goal for Germany in a FIFA World Cup final proved to be momentous as Mario Gotze scored at the 113th minute of the second extra session giving Germany the 1-0 victory and its 4th World Cup title. It is Germany’s first World Cup title since they won it back in 1990, which happen to also come over defeating Argentina also.
By: Sunil Sunderraj
Andre Schurrle streaked down the left flank curling a pass through two Argentine defenders to Gotze inside the box, knocked the ball down with his chest and fired a majestic volley shot past Romero inside the right corner of the net. Pure joy and celebration ensued for Germany as they could feel just how close they were to completing this long and rugged journey to the title.
Argentina had a couple of opportunities to tie the match before the final whistle blew.
At the 117th minute, Lionel Messi’s shot sailed well over the middle of the net which all but sealed the victory for Germany. In the closing seconds Messi free kick attempt was way off base.
The first session featured a couple of chances by both teams to strike for that long sought goal. Within in the first minute from the backline, Toni Kroos fed Schurrle rifling a point blank shot at Romero who two fisted the ball away.
A minute later Messi’s shot traveled right through the goal mouth.
Five minutes later Rodrigo Palacio burst inside the box but only managed to flick the ball up in the air which slid wide left of the goal net.
In the 20th minute of the first half Argentina had a fantastic chance to net the first goal on the match when Kroos headed the ball in the wrong direction leading to a breakaway. However the shot landed way left of the net.
Probably the best opportunity for Argentina in the 30th minute when Ezequiel Lavezzi crossing pass to Gonzalo Higuain who streaked into the box to side the foot the ball home but was ruled offside, wiping what would have been a spectacular goal for them and given them big momentum.
Germany finished off the first half with a couple chances of their own. A clever pass from Mesut Ozil to Kroos who laced a shot that forced Romero to make the diving stop. On a corner kick from Kroos in injury time found Benedikt Howedes whose header dinged off the right goal post.
Germany became the first European team to win a World Cup in South America and to eliminate another team in Argentina from three consecutive World Cups. Their 8th World Cup appearance which is most of all time. By winning their 4th World Cup title, Germany is second on the all-time list in terms of all-time World cup titles, only trailing Brazil (5 World Cup Titles) by one now. 