July 14, 2014
Mario Goetze scored a superb extra-time winner as Germany beat Argentina
1-0 to become the first European team to win a World Cup held in South
America on Sunday.
Bayern Munich star Goetze struck in the 113th minute to finally break
Argentina's resistance as Lionel Messi's dream of emulating Diego
Maradona ended in defeat.
Germany has now won four World Cups, putting the European powerhouses just one behind Brazil's record tally of five.
“It's unbelievable what we have achieved. Whether we have the best
individual player doesn't matter at all, you just need to have the best
team,” said delighted Germany captain Philipp Lahm.
“We improved throughout the tournament and didn't get down when things
didn't always go our way, we just stuck to our path and at the end we're
standing here as world champions. It's an unbelievable feeling.
“The team stayed calm and patient, we knew that we had something left at the end.”
The decisive moment of a World Cup brimming with wonderful goals came
with penalties looming in front of
74,738 fans at Rio de Janeiro's
famous Maracana Stadium.
Andre Schuerrle burst clear down the left flank and crossed for Goetze.
The 22-year-old took the ball on his chest and then volleyed past Sergio
Romero to spark delirium amongst the largely pro-German crowd.
