Gotze: Moment of magic
A Mario Gotze goal in extra time handed Germany a 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final in Rio de Janerio.
In a hard-fought contest that at times lacked quality but never effort, it was Joachim Low’s men who grabbed the one and only goal with 113 minutes on the clock.
The match had seemed destined for penalties and it required the brilliance of Gotze, on as a replacement, to separate the two teams.
Despite being goalless, the opening 45 minutes were by no means dull. Both sides endeavoured to play attacking football and on another day both sides could have had at least a goal each.
It was Gonzalo Higuain who had the first real chance of the encounter, the Napoli forward getting on the end of a lightning-quick counter attack only to skewer an effort across the face of Manuel Neuer’s goal.
On 21 minutes Higuain should have opened the scoring after a rare error by the Germans. A poor back header from Toni Kroos played the striker on side and despite Mats Hummels' best effort to apply pressure, Higuain was afforded a free shot from the edge of the box, but he could only scuff it wide.
Lionel Messi was looking very much up for the occasion and after showing his pace in outrunning Hummels earlier in the piece, the Barcelona ace then showed off his eye for a pass, opening up the play with a cross-field ball to Ezequiel Lavezzi who in turn whipped in a ball for Higuain to prod past Neuer. While Higuain got the finish right on this occasion, his run was slightly mistimed, resulting in the effort being chalked off for offside.
Having only entered the fray as a late replacement for the injured Sami Khedira, Christoph Kramer saw his first World Cup start end before the first half was through as the youngster was forced off the field after failing to shake the effects of a naughty shoulder to the side of the face from Ezequiel Garay.
Despite a second rejig, Germany continued to have the most of the ball, but they were unable to turn possession into real chances. Indeed, it was Argentina who had the next clear-cut opportunity.
Messi was the man pulling the strings on this occasion, waltzing down the right before cutting in from the byline and flicking the ball passed Neuer only for Jerome Boateng to hack away a clearance.
Argentina’s ploy of forcing the German attacks wide proved a successful one, as for all of Muller’s industry down the right, his many crosses came to little.
It was a late corner from the right that nearly provided the decisive delivery on the stroke of half-time. Kroos’ corner from the right was met by Benedikt Howedes, the full-back throwing his body at the ball and propelling a header which crashed into the upright.
The game had been billed as one that Messi could achieve hero status through and on 47 minutes he nearly took a step towards doing so. However, having been played through into the penalty area he unleashed a left-footed effort that skidded wide of the far post.
Argentina continued to edge the early minutes of the second period, with replacement Sergio Aguero introduced to engineer the breakthrough.
However, while Germany began to find their feet once more, neither side could muster a goal.
The second half lacked the fluidity and bite of the first, with the match turning into a slightly scrappy, cagey affair.
With 20 minutes remaining Muller showed some neat footwork to dance into space in the penalty area, but Schurrle was unable to control as it spilled at his feet and the chance was gone.
Mesut Ozil then did well to set up Kroos on the edge of the box, but the Bayern Munich man’s side-footed effort was wide of the target.
With some tired legs making their way around the Maracana extra time had become seemingly inevitable and indeed it would prove the case.
Whether it was the words of their coaches ringing in their ears or the benefit of a brief break putting some new life in their legs, both sets of players were on form when extra time kicked off.
Schurrle forced Romero into a great save almost straight from the first whistle, with the keeper having to be at his best to keep the midfielder’s snapshot out.
Argentina substitute Rodrigo Palacio had a glorious chance to get on the scoresheet as he got past a struggling Hummels before failing in his attempt to chip Neuer.
Considering the struggle to break the deadlock, it was fitting that it was a goal of the highest quality that proved the winner. Having come on as a late replacement from Klose, Gotze showed brilliant technique to control Schurrle’s cross on his chest before poking the ball past Romero.
Messi had a chance to grab a dramatic equaliser from a long-range free-kick with what was almost the last play of the game, but there would be no fairytale ending for Messi.
Instead it was the Germans who were left to celebrate their fourth World Cup title.
Source: VIQI News
