0' The crowning jewel of the tournament lies ahead now. A magnificent close to one of the most exciting tournaments we've seen. The Germans tilted as the favorites, and attempt to become the first European team to win in the Americas. Messi coming to form, but the question is whether he has the supporting cast to beat the well disciplined and thoroughly talented german squad. Shouldn't be anything less spectacular, and this tournament deserves no less.
20' Both teams coming out well and playing settled immediately. Argentina content sitting back in defense and launching the occasional but dangerous counterattack. Germany playing well with the majority of the possession, and have been able to send in a few dangerous crosses, but no finishes yet. One big mistake by Kroos sends the ball to Higuain in on goal, but he's unable to find the target from only yards away. It was a poor finish, from what seemed a sure goal gifted by Germany. For Argentina, just as in the game against the Dutch, Lavezzi and Messi finding space down the right side, but only Higauin making runs into the box, and in the end it'll be easy for Germany to make only one man. They'll have to send more numbers in attack. For Germany, their clinicians are being given all time of day to find space, and surely, they eventually will. Argentina will have to take more possession, or at least capitalize on any German mistakes with ruthless efficiency, the kind Germany showed against Brasil.
30' Poor discipline from Higauin, he finds the back of the net on a gorgeous cross and finish, but he was more than a yard offside despite staring right across the line of defense. It was a great opportunity for Argentina, and the only time they had numbers in the attack. They'll do well to continue to send numbers forward, but its two excellent opportunities for Higauin, and Argentina should be up 2-0 by now. Germany is not an opponent you want to gift chances to.
45' At the half its still scoreless, but not without opportunity. Right before the half, a brilliant run and header from a corner sees Hoewedes hitting the upright. Argentina with more opportunity with excellent runs in the counterattack. Argentina with the better chances, but Germany finding opportunities as well. Certainly an excellent and exciting game thus far, everything we could have hoped for, except the celebration of goals. Argentina defending well, and you have to wonder if they can keep the excellent tacticians of Germany at bay for the full 90. Germany unlucky to not have scored yet, Argentina simply throwing away their opportunities. Both teams will stick to their formulas from the first half, as they have been working more or less as intended.
50' Dangerous early minutes from Argentina, but still unable to finish. This time its Messi who finds himself in on goal and does poorly to not score there. One has to wonder how many of these opportunities they'll continue to find, and how much longer they can afford to not capitalize.
70' Its been all Germany thus far in this half, after an early dangerous couple of minutes from Argentina. Germany finding themselves with good possession in the attacking third at times, but just finding themselves unable to link up correctly. Argentina still not sending numbers forward, even in the few chances they have, and it looks like if Argentina are to score it will be from a heroic individual effort. Germany knocking at the doorsteps now, but Argentina thus far defending well.
90' Nothing separating these teams at the end of regular time, and its the third consecutive world cup final to go to extra time. Both of these teams having their chances, but the Germans starting to find space regularly in attack, and the Argentines still not committing numbers in the attack, although Messi with two moments of brilliance that nearly delivered goals for his side. In the end, its what every soccer fan dreams of, thirty more scintillating minutes of top class football.
105' The first extra time period sees no goals, and its Germany who have control of the play. Tired legs now affecting both sides, and mistakes in defense as well leaves Romero to save a beautiful shot by Schurrle and Neuer left to watch a Palacio lob effort drift wide. 15 more minutes, and it doesn't look like either team wants to risk penalties.
113' For the second straight cup its a late second extra time goal, and its Mario Goetze gifting Germany the lead, on a beautiful trap and shoot. Argentina now have just under ten minutes to try to find an equaliser.
Final' History is made, its the first European side to win the tournament in the Americans. The Germans join their 1954, 1974, and 1990 counterparts to lift the trophy for the fourth time, and only Brasil have done so more. Its a great match and Germany deserved to fin. Argentina ruing their chances. They had the better and closer opportunites, but simply unable to find goal. An excellent result and finish to a great tournament, and for the next four years, the Germans are world champions.
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