The third consecutive World Cup final to go into extra time would prove to be the most dramatic and entertaining of the bunch. A superb strike separated Argentina and Germany in the Maracana, and Mario Gotze will probably never score another goal as important in his career.
Two hours prior, the tactical clash between Joachim Loew and Alejandro Sabella was well under way.
The result was that Germany looked to attack Marco Rojo with Philip Lahm and Thomas Muller constantly prying on the right side, while Argentina became the first side in the entire World Cup to attempt to exploit Benedikt Howedes at left back by having Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lionel Messi terrorising the Schalke 04 man all evening.
Sami Khedira’s unfortunate last-minute injury thrust Christoph Kramer into the spotlight with the Borussia Monchengladbach man getting his first appearance in the World Cup finals in the final itself!
His evening ended early, however, as a clash with Ezequiel Garay’s shoulder left him in a crumpled heap. The injury forced Jordi Loew into a tactical switch, bringing on Andre Schurrle and leaving the Germans vulnerable in the middle of the park defensively.
Prior to the substitution, Argentina had the best clear-cut chance of the game - a horrific header back towards goal by Toni Kroos set Gonzalo Higuain free against Manuel Neuer, but the Napoli striker fired horribly wide.
The greatest miss in World Cup finals history? Quite possibly. Argentina pushed on the counter, Lavezzi stripping Howedes for pace before sending a wonderful low cross between the penalty spot and the six-yard box. Higuain had the ball in the back of the net this time, and wheeled away in delight before realising his goal had been (rightfully) disallowed for offside.
At the opposite end, the closest that Germany got was late into normal time, when Howedes had a free header thunder off the post, peeling away from his marker as the defensive attention was focused on Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels in the box.
In the second half, Argentina picked up where they left off - disciplined defending by Javier Mascherano (absolutely immense on the night, as he has been all tournament) and Lucas Biglia prevented any space in the middle of the park, forcing Germany wide and only limited to whipping crosses in.
The partnership of Garay and Martin Demichelis at centre-back enjoyed the physical battle, every long ball dealt with little fuss.
Lavezzi was withdrawn at half time for Sergio Aguero, a move that tactically made sense for Sabella as it put extra pressure on Bastian Schweinsteiger by bringing on another striker.
Just before the hour mark, Manuel Neuer channeled Harold Schumacher circa 1982, with a ruthless knee to Gonzalo Higuain’s head on the edge of the box. A shocking challenge by anyone’s standards, but perhaps the magnitude of the event affected Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli's decision-making, as he gave a free kick against an incensed Higuain.
Rizzoli did it again when Howedes amazingly escaped with only a booking for a studs up, knee-high challenge on Pablo Zabaleta in the first half as well.
Mesut Ozil, lambasted so often for his performances with Arsenal this season (and, in some quarters, for his national team performances as well) created the most clear-cut opportunities for the Germans, with Andre Schurrle and Toni Kroos guilty of poor finishing.
For Michel Platini to personally ask for your jersey after a World Cup Final says more about Ozil’s ability than the “media circus" attempts at crucifying him, and if a poor season results in a World Cup winners medal (and an FA Cup trophy), how bad could it really have been?
On the other hand, it is only the noise of empty vessels coming from England whose football team is a joke anyway and the mentality of its journalism.
The pace slowed, Higuain replaced with Rodrigo Palacio after yet another day of poor finishing.
The Inter Milan striker could have won it for Argentina as well, a great ball by Marco Rojo over the despairing leap of Mats Hummels found Palacio in acres of space, his attempted chip going wide as Manuel Neuer came charging off his line.
The game-winning moment came in the 112th minute, Schurrle crossing to Mario Gotze, whose sublime touch and volley finish earned the Germans their fourth World Cup victory, and for the decisive moment to come from Loew’s substitutes is an indicator of the strength in depth of this German squad.
Argentina did very little wrong, guilty only of profligacy in front of goal. Their so-called vulnerable defence stood firm.
There was not much else Leo Messi could have done. In the final reckoning, Argentina were let down by their attack with Higuain and Aguero, who are arguably two of the finest strikers in the world but rubbish at the highest level.
The Albiceleste ended this World Cup having only trailed for seven minutes in the entire competition.
Football is a game of fine margins at the highest level, and her beauty is only matched by her cruelty at times. – July 14, 2014.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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