Germany wins 2014 World Cup: Mario Gotze scores game-winning goal in 113th minute of extra time
Gotze scored on a volley after controlling the call off his chest to beat Sergio Romero. The win is Germany’s first as a united country. West Germany won the World Cup in 1954, 1974 and 1990.
BY FILIP BONDY
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Sunday, July 13, 2014, 5:40 PM
Updated: Monday, July 14, 2014, 12:40 AM
Germany captures its fourth World Cup title and the first-ever championship for a European country on South American soil.
The best, highest-scoring team in this World Cup required 113 minutes to infiltrate the impenetrable Argentine defense, and needed a remarkable play to pull it off. But eventually, finally, late substitute Mario Götze chested down a cross from Andre Schürrle and volleyed the ball decisively with his left foot past Sergio Romero inside the right post for a 1-0 victory in extra time to earn Germany’s fourth championship.
The title in Rio de Janeiro represented the first time in history that a European side had captured one on South or North American soil. The Germans were worthy winners, having produced some of the best soccer at this tournament during two romps over Portugal and Brazil, and having scored 18 goals. The Germans began producing this golden generation of players under Jürgen Klinsmann’s stewardship a decade ago, and that group came of age at this tournament.
So did the younger reinforcements. Götze, 23, had been replaced in the starting lineup after a disappointing start to the tournament, yet he rescued this match from the scourge of a penalty-kick shootout after entering in the 88th minute for forward Miroslav Klose, the all-time top scorer in World Cup history.
Götze’s coach, Joachim Low, said he told Götze along the sideline to go out there and show everybody he’s better than Lionel Messi. But that was not exactly in the substitute’s mind when he scored the winner.
Mario Gotze of Germany celebrates scoring his team's first goal in extra time.
“You just shoot that goal and you don’t really know what’s happening,” Götze told reporters.
Schürrle may have only played in this match because starter Sami Khedira was injured in warmups, and then Khedira’s replacement, Christoph Kramer, was replaced in the 31st minute with a head injury.
Kramer collapsed on the field and should never have been allowed back in the match after a head-on collision minutes earlier. His tardy departure led to Schürrle’s entry, and to the eventual winning goal.
Germany players celebrate after the final whistle blows at the Maracana Stadium.
“I knew we had some time left (after the goal) and still had to defend,” Schürrle told ESPN. “But when the referee blew the whistle, I had to cry, to feel the moment and celebrate.”
The match produced several solid chances for both sides, particularly in the first half.
“We did everything to win,” said midfielder Javier Mascherano, who had a remarkable tournament. “We gave it all. The pain is immense. We regret it for ourselves and the Argentinian people.”
Germany's squad gives Argetina a round of applause as the runners-up accept their second-place medals.
Argentina ceded ground and possession, setting its back line deep and often putting seven men behind the ball. In exchange, the Argentines looked for counters from their swift forwards, particularly down the right wing.
It was a fair trade. The very best chance for Argentina arrived in the 21st minute, when German midfielder Toni Kroos inadvertently set up Gonzalo Higuain with a careless back-header into the middle of the field. Higuain took the ball on the run for a clear break, then inexplicably missed his shot wide left on Manuel Neuer by several yards.
Neuer was awarded the Golden Glove in this World Cup after allowing four goals in seven matches.
Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi (L) is held in check by Mats Hummels and Germany's defense.
“It is unbelievable,” Neuer said. “The team has done superbly. Not only the players, but also the team behind the team. At some point we will stop celebrating, but we will always stand up again with a smile.”
Messi had a strong run in the 40th minute, but Germany defender Jerome Boateng cleared a loose ball off the line. Messi had his best opportunity in the 47th minute, but his left footer hooked wide right of the goal. Argentina’s superstar had one last desperate shot in the 123rd minute on a 25-yard free kick that sailed high.
Germany thus knocked out Argentina from the World Cup for the third straight time. When Götze scored, it marked the first time in the entire tournament that Argentina had trailed in a match. In the end, the Argentines allowed only four goals in Brazil, but failed to score in the final 322 minutes and netted only eight goals in seven matches. All of Messi’s four goals in Brazil were scored during the group stage. Considering this tournament tied the all-time record for most goals in a World Cup, the South American side appeared out of sync with the attacking occasion.
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“It was a game that either team could have won,” said Alejandro Sabella, the Argentina coach. “We had the better chances.”
Germany won it, anyway. Now the Germans become the top European side going forward, replacing Spain.
“It’s because of the players we have,” defender Mats Hummels said. “This is one of the best generations we’ve had, the best I’ve ever seen. Half of our team won the Champions League. We just have a good team and will have a good team in years to come.”
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