Okay, yes, I know it is a little weird to write a review of the final game, since it took place well over a week ago.
But I tried to be as extensive as possible regarding my covering the World Cup tournament, even through not one, but two separate vacations during that time span, and it seemed even weirder to simply let it drop because I was on vacation. After all, the final is not just any game. It is the game that decides who, ultimately, is the newly crowned champion of the sport. It is perhaps the single biggest sporting game in the world, and it comes around only once every four years!
So, of course I'm going to write something on that!
Here goes:
2014 World Cup Final: Germany 1, Argentina 0
While Germany had appeared to be the dominant team heading in, after a crushing victory over host nation, and perennial World Cup powerhouse Brazil, you could expect Germany to find a way to possibly dominate Argentina. Germany were the favorites going in.
Yet, it was Argentina that was outplaying them for much of the early contest, and Argentina that seemed to have the better opportunities, and at least appeared on the verge of a breakthrough goal that could spread the game wide open. Messi, specifically, looked fired up, and it appeared that he broke through for quality chances several times, although he was not able to convert any of them.
Still, it appeared Argentina as a team had gone up in the game and drawn first blood, when Gonzalo Higuain got a goal past German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Germany (who was awarded the Golden Glove award as the tournament's best goalie) and buried it in the back of the German goal's net, providing Argentina with an apparent 1-0 lead. The Argentinian players celebrated in jubilation, and their fans exploded, roaring into life, feeling that their first title in nearly three decades was very near now.
But that goal was waved off because of an offside, and the game remained tied at nil.
Argentina continued to be the more impressive side, although these were two evenly matched teams, and both were playing extremely well. It is odd how, in a sport like this, you can play so well, and still have the game remain scoreless for such a long time.
That is what happened. And something else happened, too. The Argentinian players looked demonstrably fatigued, worn down and out. As the game went on, you could sense a shift in favor of the Germans.
Still, there was no score, despite all of the wonderful opportunities (particularly in the first half), and regular time ended.
It went into extra sessions and, sure enough, the first of those sessions proved true to form, as the game remained scoreless. Frankly, it had the feel of a contest that would be decided in a penalty kick shootout, even though that seemed like an unfortunate way for the game to be decided.
But, of course, the Germans finally managed to break through in the second extra time session. Germany's Mario Goetze finally got it past Argentina's goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, in the 113th minute, leaving precious little time for Messi and company to work with.
The German players celebrated immediately after the goal that put them ahead, and the German supporters were cheering wildly for the duration of the game.
Yet, Messi provided some suspense yet in the game, as Argentina tried desperately to battle back, hoping for that tying goal.
Of course, they did not get it, and Germany was able to preserve the victory, which marked the first time that a European nation was able to win in the Americas. It is Germany's fourth World Cup title in it's history, and it's first in 24 years, when they won the title, also against Argentina in the final, just a few months before West Germany officially reunited with East Germany, absorbing it into the Federal Republic (West Germany).
There was a lot for Germany to celebrate in that year. But there is a lot for Germany to celebrate this year now, too. Although, perhaps this World Cup win serves as more of a pleasant distraction from news around the world, which has been bad in recent years, including the controversial austerity measures (that many other Europeans blame Germany for), or the tensions that have arisen with Russia over the situation currently in the Ukraine.
Germany seems to win World Cups roughly once every twenty years, or so. Since winning their first title in 1954 (then as West Germany), the team has subsequently won in 1974, 1990, and now, in 2014. At this rate, Germany would be just about due to win it again in 2034.
For now, they are pleased just to celebrate their historic World Cup triumph of this year, which was punctuated famously with the still shocking 7-1 triumph over the hosts, Brazil. But they were able to win this game outright with a goal before the game was sent to a penalty shootout, which at least meant that there was an outright winner in the game part of the final, at least.
The German players were gracious in applauding a very dejected looking Lionel Messi after the game's end, when he was rewarded the Golden Ball award as the most outstanding player of the tournament.
So, how happy are the Germans?
Take a look at what Germany's keeper Manuel Neuer had to say (quotes taken from article by James Maasdorp - see link below):
"We're going to celebrate for at least five weeks now."
"At some point we'll stop celebrating but we'll always keep waking up with a smile.
"We did it and it's unbelievable. In the preparation we had some setbacks. We have to think of the guys not here. They are world champions now too."
Yes, that, they certainly are!
World Cup 2014: Germany beats Argentina 1-0 to win Cup thanks to Mario Goetze extra-time volley by James Maasdorp, July 14, 2014:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-14/world-cup-final-germany-argentina/5593490
Other Thoughts on This World Cup
Well, Netherlands shrugged off some of their disappointment at losing to Argentina in the semifinal by ripping apart Brazil, who suffered their second straight home blowout defeat, to end the tournament in the most miserable manner possible.
Netherlands did not win as convincingly as Germany's historical 7-1 win, but their 3-0 triumph nonetheless capped a hugely successful tournament for Netherlands, as they earned the third place game. Still, that is a bit of a buzzkill for them, as they were obviously hoping to at least have a shot at winning the whole thing.
Otherwise, there were quite a few very memorable moments of this World Cup, which will probably be remembered as one of the most exciting World Cups in history. Germany provided the most recent strong memories, with their stunning 7-1 win over Brazil, and their subsequent championship, becoming the first European nation to win on South American soil.
Of course, we have to remember another highlight (or rather, lowlight), that being the bite. Just say "the bite" (and the infamous suspension that followed it) in regards to this World Cup, and everyone will know exactly what you are talking about.
But there were other very memorable moments, such as the header scored by Robin van Persie, en route to what seemed, at that time before Germany's destruction of Brazil, to be the most shocking blowout that the tournament would see, as Netherlands crushed Spain, 5-1. That came on one of the first days of this World Cup tournament, and it may just be the most memorable goal from it.
If not, then surely to me it would have been that wonderful goal by Australia's Tim Cahill against Netherlands, when he was able to directly kick a beautifully placed pass to bury it in the back of the net. Australia did not win that game (or any games), but that was a highlight for the ages!
Those two goals were, for me, the enduring highlights of this World Cup. I was actually watching that Netherlands-Australia match live as it was taking place, and let me just say that I never was as excited and inspired by any single goal where I did not have a rooting interest as the Cahill goal in that game!
Overall, this tournament tied the 1998 World Cup as the highest scoring. Speaking of rooting interests, I was admittedly glad that it did not quite eclipse 1998 France, since I am particularly attached to that World Cup, specifically. Anyone who knows me, or has been keeping up at all with this blog page, would know the reasons behind that!
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