Mario Goetze made a difficult play look simple as he scored the winning goal at 113 minutes in extra time to give Germany a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final on Sunday. The grinding duel between the two soccer powerhouses was the best World Cup final in decades and arguably one of the all time best World Cup finals.
The 2014 World Cup final win was the fourth for the German team overall, but the first the soccer-addicted country has celebrated in 24 years. With this 2014 World Cup win, Germany also becomes the first European team to win a World Cup in the Americas.
Argentina world the World Cup in 1986 with Diego Maradona, but the team had not been back in the final since losing to Germany in 1990. Germany has now been knocked Argentina out of the last three World Cups
The 2014 World Cup winning goal
Goetze took a cross from Andre Schuerrle on his chest just five yards out, and in an impressive display of fluidity and coordination, fired the ball past Sergio Romero and inside the far post of the goal. Goetze’s shot left Argentina’s multi-talented Lionel Messi shaking his head in disappointment after playing very well, but not quite good enough to beat their bitter European rivals.
”It’s an unbelievable feeling. I don’t know how to describe it. You just shoot that goal in, you don’t really know what’s happening,” Goetze said. ”And then at the end of the match, having a party with the team, the whole country … it is for us, a dream come true.”
Late substitute strategy
Goetze went on as a substitute for German striker and fan-favorite Miroslav Klose with just a few minutes to go in regulation time. According to coach Joachim Loew, he was counting on Goetze’s fresh legs.
”I said to Mario Goetze, ‘OK, show to the world that you’re better than Messi and you can decide the World Cup. You have all the possibilities to do that,”’ Loew said in an interview after the 2014 World Cup final. ”I had a good feeling with him.”
Rhianna and Angela Merkel celebrate Germany’s win
American pop singer Rihanna has been vocal in her support for the German team in the 2014 World Cup final, and even flashed her bra at the game to show support for “her German boys”. Rhianna was also seen celebrating with members of the winning German team after the game.
German chancellor Angela Merkel and president Joachim Gauck were in Brazil for the final, and they both showed up in the locker room to celebrate with the ecstatic team after the game.
