After a long, hard-fought battle, Germany is taking home its fourth World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina on Sunday, thus claiming global football glory for the next four years.
Bayern Munich forward Mario Gotze scored the all-important winner in the second half of extra-time at legendary Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The result capped off a superb tournament by the undefeated Germans, who beat hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final on their way to lifting their fourth World Cup - and their first since 1990.
Joachim Loew’s side thoroughly deserved their triumph and perhaps the abiding memory of their campaign was their stunning semi-final performance when they shocked the soccer world by thrashing Brazil 7-1.
Messi, the four-time world player of the year, was unable to carry Argentina to the title and turned in a subdued performance in the final against a well-organized German side.
In turn, Argentina find themselves in the finals after they held off the Dutch in penalty kicks in what was a highly entertaining match but one that was a scoreless draw, according to wpxi.com.
Germany's victorious World Cup squad will return home on Tuesday to a heroes' welcome in Berlin.
(END) INT/LOG
Published: 7/14/2014