Editorial Staff
Brazil is considered the spiritual home of Football, and in keeping with that the country organized a memorable world cup tournament. Despite predictions of violent demonstrations and protests, the tournament proved to be a successful one with the games at its main focus. However, to the chagrin of the host nation, the Brazilian football team got knocked out of the tournament during the semi final round with a 7-1 defeat to Germany. However, luckily for the Brazilians they didn’t have to suffer the ultimate nightmare; that of watching rival Argentina win the cup in their country.
Though Germans were the favorites in the match from the get go because of their 7-1 win against Brazil in the semis, Argentina held its own and the game went into extra time. In the first half Gonzalo Higuaín missed an excellent opportunity when he lobbed the ball out of the goalbar despite being one on one with the German keeper manuel Neuer, a similar chance presented itself to Rodrigo Palacio as well later in the game, but he failed to score as well.
This is the first time that the unified Germany won the FIFA world cup. West Germany won the World cup in 1990, and since then despite consistently good performance, Germany couldn’t succeed when it mattered most. But with Mario Goetze’s goal that came on the 113th minute of the game, Germany’s dream came true. That decisive goal also denied Messi the one title that would have brought him out of the shadow of Diego Maradona and bought him a place of his own with the all time greats. Although Neymar reportedly wanted Messi’s Argentina to win the title, but the Brazilian fans begged to differ, and when Goetze’s goal came in, the Brazilians in the stand erupted in celebration along with the Germans.
Mario Goetze’s goal was a testament of finnesse. The 22-year-old came off the bench as a substitute for the veteran Klose. He received a cross from Andre Schuerrle with his chest and sent it hurtling past Argentine goalkeeper Romero and into the back of the net. The goal was reminiscent of the decisive goal scored by Andres Iniesta in the World Cup final four years ago.
Mohith Agadi
