After 45 minutes of enticing football, the first half of the 2014 World Cup is in the books. The opportunity for Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain's name to be etched in stone came and went with it.
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The first clear-cut opportunity of the match came in the 21st minute after a grave error from Germany's Toni Kroos. A headed back-pass escaped his back line, providing Higuain with a pocket of space. The opener was there to be had, but an incorrect slice of the ball pushed his attempt wide of the post.
His luck wouldn't change.
Just nine minutes after his blistering miss, Argentina's No. 9 polished off a Ezequiel Lavezzi pass. The 1-0 lead was finally captured, but the linesman had other plans, correctly calling the play offside. Two clear-cut chances. Two history-changing misses.
At the club level, Higuain has been sought after by other European outfits, but the 26-year-old is adamant he will return to Napoli next season. This despite the pleas of his compatriot, Lionel Messi, to join Barcelona during the summer transfer window.
"I am really grateful to Leo [Messi] for his kind words, but I have a contract with Napoli that makes me very happy," he said (via the Daily Mail). "The Partenopei club [Napoli] has always treated me very well since I arrived there."
He will have 45 minutes to return to Napoli a World Cup champion.
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