So the champions have been crowned, and Germany are the kings of the world, which is (begrudgingly) fitting since they played the best football of the tournament. It does irk me that the Albicelestes wasted such a golden chance, and we shall have to wait another 4 years to see if Messi and co can reach the great heights the team promises. but for now the glory is German, and the party in the fatherland will last quite some time.
The game itself was tense, and much more entertaining than the 1-0 scoreline, only decided in the 112th minute. would suggest. From early on the attacking presence of both teams was on display, with clever passes and darting runs, but also present was the solid defenses that both sides brought to the match. The game flowed between ends, but the first chance of the game (and arguably the best chance) fell to Gonzalo Higuain when Toni Kroos headed the ball back towards his goalkeeper, but also directly to the feet of Higuain, who, with only Manuel Neuer to beat, kicked it wide of the goal and didn’t even trouble Neuer with a save.It was a dissapoiting finish to a gift of a chance, and it is likely that the oppotunity is even now haunting Higuain.The Argentiean number 9 did put the ball in the back of the net 8 minutes later, but was offside when he did so, ruining another elegant attacking move started by Messi. As the first half came to an end the German’s had their best chances, with first Andre Schuller hitting his powerful shot straight at Sergio Romero, then Miroslav Klose just not connecting with a cross, before Benedikt Howedes hit the post with a header. The second half was just as frantic, with Messi missing a golden chance not long after the restart, a goal which would have been in the highlight reels if he had put it in as a great example of his class and skill, as his silky skills had let him beat the offside trap and dribble quickly into the penalty area to draw out Neuer, to only put it wide. Neuer was also lucky / had perfect judgement at one point when he came running out to the edge of his penalty to punch the ball away, and clatter into Aguero, albeit that the Argentinean forward was adjudged to have fouled Neuer, there must have been a moment for all german fans who thought their keeper might be shown a red card for such a challenge.
The next near miss that really should have been the game, was in the first minutes of extra time when Rodrigo Palacio headed a weak effort that went wide after being free in the penalty area. Then came the moment for Mario Gotze, as he found himself with time and space in the 6 yard box, as he had one touch to control then volleyed into the goal from close range to give Romero no chance, and Germany the cup Messi had a few late chances to equalised and force penalties, but it wasn’t enough..
NineSixFourTwo 