RIO DE JANEIRO, July 13 � A 113th-minute goal by substitute Mario Goetze enabled Germany to lift the World Cup. In the gruelling final at the Maraca here, Germany had the last laugh after playing goal-less in the regulation time.
It may not be a super classic World Cup for the 75,000 odd spectators in the Maracana and millions of TV viewers around the globe, but it was a truly well contested match, where the ball swung from one end to other quite frequently. In the true sense it was a contest between the German attackers and Argentinean defence.
Argentina started on a positive note in the second session with Messi making the headway down the left flank in the 46th minute. But his left footer missed the target by a whisker. But the Germans came back in the game, keeping control of the midfield. Bastian and Oezil took the responsibility in feeding Andre Schuerrle and Toni Kroos who, despite coming close, were finally tackled in the striking zone.
In the 81st minute Kroos missed another opportunity when Oezil found him inside the box from the right flank. However, with compact defence and good goal-keeping, both the teams prevented each other from breaking through. Veteran Miroslav Klose, the highest scorer of goals World Cup, finals was substituted with Andre Schuerrle in the 86th minute.
In the extra time Argentinean substitute Sergio Aguero missed an easy header following a Mats Hummels mistake, which could have put his team ahead at a crucial time.
Argentina should blame Gonzalo Higuain for not going ahead at the break as the sturdy frontliner failed to beat the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer despite finding him alone in the 20th minute. Unmarked Higuain shot wide from inside the box, which could be termed the easiest scoring opportunity.
But it was the Germans who dominated the first half proceedings with 65 per cent ball possession. In the dying moments of the first half defender Mats Hummels hit the up right bar with a sharp header off a flag kick.
The German defenders were too cautious and tough in tackling the Argentine players. Messi was virtually bottled up by Hummels and Hoewedes, who kept a strict vigil on him all the time.
