It took extra time for a 2014 World Cup Champion to be crowned, but Mario Gotze's goal in the 112th minute in the second frame of extra time sealed the tournament victory for Germany at Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Gotze received a cross from Andre Schurrle, controlled it with his chest and then kicked it passed Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero to hand the Germans their fourth World Cup in history.
Schurrle replaced Christoff Kramer for Germany after he left the game in the 31st minute with an injury. Kramer was replacing Sami Khedira after he was sidelined due to a calf issue. Schurrle had a great chance in the 92nd minute in extra time but couldn't put it away.
Despite there being no goals in regulation or the first extra time period, each team had its share of chances throughout the game.
It looked as though Gonzalo Higuain scored the opening goal for Argentina in the 29th minute, but the play was blown dead due to him being offside after running down the center and passing the last defender before finding the back of the net.
Higuain was involved in a collision with Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in the 56th minute after Neuer's knee hit him in the face as they both jumped up for a loose ball.
Lionel Messi had a great chance for Argentina in the 47th minute, but he tucked the ball wide of the Germany goal. Toni Kroos had a solid chance for the Germans after he took a pass from Mesut Ozil in the 82nd minute, but his shot missed wide.
In the first frame of extra time, Rodrigo Sebastian Palacio had a key chance in the 97th minute but failed to hit the target, rounding out a game where each team traded chances but came up empty until Gotze found the back of the cage.
Argentina finishes the tournament in second place while Germany celebrates its first World Cup since 1990.
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
