WORLD CUP GOES TO GERMANY

• Subdues Argentina 1-0 in extra time

Germany yesterday subdued hard fighting Argentina 1-0 to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup, after a keenly contested final at the famous Maracana Stadium, Brazil.

An extra time goal by substitute, Mario Goetze, was all Germany needed to complete their ambition of lifting the coveted World Cup for the fourth time in Brazil.

It was Germany’s  eighth World Cup final; more than any other nation. They have won three titles and have now reached a World Cup final in each of the last seven decades (1954, 1966, 1974, 1982 and 86, 1990, 2002 and now 2014). Die Mannschaft have won three and lost just one of the previous six World Cup encounters with Argentina (D2), and they also won the penalty shootout in 2006 against the South American side.

On the other hand, Lionel Messi disappointed Argentines as he failed to deliver the World Cup in their fifth global football  final; the Argetines have won two and lost two of their previous four. They’ve yet to concede a goal in the knock-out stages at this tournament (despite playing extra-time in two of their three games). Alejandro Sabella’s side have won nine out of 20 games against Germany (D5 L6) and the last meeting (August 2012, Frankfurt) saw Argentina win 3-1.

The match started on a cautious note with both sides trying to outwit each other as  the Germans captured the midfield, looking for a breakthrough into the Argentines’ 18 yard box, but all their efforts were thwarted by the South Americans’ wall of defence.

In the 4th minute,  Argentina launched   a counter attack to connect   a waiting Higuain whose shot in front of the Germany goalkeeper went wide.

It was virtually a ding dong affair throughout the first  and second stanzas of the match as both sides failed in their quest to get the ball into  the net.

It was a match soaked with tension and anxiety as Argentina played all their tricks but couldn’t break the hearts of the Germans who ruthlessly made their way into yesterday’s final after dismissing the host 7-1 in the semi finals.

Goetze’s 113rd minute goal gave the German machine  something to cheer after many fruitless efforts throughout the  regular time.