Today the world stands still for a football
match. The biggest day in the footballing calendar. It is the day of the FIFA
World Cup Finals.
Rio De Janerio has been at its very best entertaining
football fans for the best part of 1 month. Last night was something else, an
atmosphere that would have the footballing world to take their hats off to this
wonderful city. Rio was home to the greatest party on earth.
It had been a wet 3 days at Rio. It wasn’t rain;
it was Brazilian tears falling thunderously all over Rio. The water making the
Pitch at the Maracana very smooth. This would have arguably made the Germans
happier of the lot.
Die Mannschaft having to make a very late
change to replace Khedira who pulled a muscle during the warm up. This gave
opportunity to the 23 year old, Christoph Kramer to make his first start for
Germany at the World Cup Finals in Brazil. A very intriguing choice by the
German coach, Jogi Loew.
The match started with Argentina looking like
a better bet to score early in the first half. Messi was at his lethal best
when he took on Hummels as early as the 10th minute, leaving the
German defender huffing and puffing. A beautiful cut back from the diminutive
forward was cleared by the extremely hard working Schweinsteiger.
In the 18th minute Christoph
Kramer, who was a late replacement for Khedira, nearly had the daylight knocked
out of him. A very unfortunate collision with Garay had the young Monchengladbach
midfielder asking his physios what day of the week it was. You could weep for
this kid; it was supposed to be the greatest day of his life, playing for his
country in the World Cup Finals, but it just wasn’t meant to be. He was eventually
replaced in the 29th minute.
Germany’s most reliable player, Toni Kroos
nearly hit the Self-destruct button. What should have been a routine high ball,
was calamitously headed back towards his own goal. To his disbelief Higuain was
there to take it and make a run towards to the goal with only Neuer to beat; to
Argentina’s disbelief Higuan missed the target from less than 12 yards, let
alone score the goal. It was a sitter for a player of his quality but he couldn’t
produce it when it mattered most.
It was Germany who had the lion’s share of
the possession, but it was Argentina who had made clear in-roads towards the
German goal. Sabella had the Argentinian team immaculately drilled to play
against the explosive German midfield. The men in white couldn’t find an ounce
of space in what looked like a brick wall of Argentinian defence. Half an hour
into the match and that took the tally to 7 hours since the Argentinians last
conceded a goal from open play. A superb record considering the lightweight
bench in terms of defensive players.
Lavezzi making the run down the wings and
sends a perfectly weighted cross for Higuain to score and Argentina had the
taken the lead at the world cup finals, but a big NO says the referee. Higuain
was clearly in an offside position when the ball was sent towards him.
The Germans would have considered themselves
lucky to go to the first half all square. Argentina had missed some gilt etched
chances which would come back to haunt them in the latter stages of the game.
Germany however ended the half the stronger team with attacks after attacks on
Romero’s goal. Howedes with the best chance after he headed a Kroos corner
towards goal only for the post to come to Argentina’s rescue. It was a
brilliant first half, completely worthy of a World Cup final.
Sabella decides to bring on the most
clinical player in attack at his disposal, Kun Aguero, in place of Lavezzi who
had a decent first half. Higuain would have been the fans choice to be replaced
but the manager had complete faith in him.
The second half started with a huge chance
for Messi. Germany leave a large gap at the edge of the box for Messi to exploit
and he doesn’t disappoint them. Driving his team forward he whips a shot at
goal which harmlessly rolls wide. You could literally feel the Maracana holding
its breath.
After a period of unproductive action
Germany attack with Schurrle but it all seems a bit hasty. With electric
players all across the pitch the game somehow lacked that killer pace. Germany
for one would have sorely been missing their injured star Reus at this point.
The German defence looked to shackle one of the smaller Argentinian player in the
shape of Aguero, but his big big biceps and humongous heart brought him out as
the winner more times than one.
Away from the Maracana, Christ the Redeemer
looked absolutely breath-taking, standing tall in front of the beautiful Rio
sunset. If this sight doesn’t take your breath away then, well I hope god helps
you.
The game had gone into monotony with just
15 minutes to play. Both teams taking precaution and playing it safe as both
were aware of each other’s prowess in front of goal.
Germany now seemed to have gone into 5th
gear as they were zipping the ball across the turf with precision of an archer.
One of Germany’s most impressive players on the night, Mesut Ozil, was causing
all kinds of problems for the opposition defence. A very smart move saw him
thread a ball which only he could, to the onrushing Kroos who looked to pass it
into the net. He would have been better off curling the ball into the top
corner which he is more than capable of.
Klose departed the international Stage for
the last time to a rapturous applause from both sets of fans and was replaced by
a the man who would eventually decide the Finals, Mario Gotze. The final
whistle came and like previous 2 world cup finals, extra time will be needed to
decide the result.
The question remained, who would become
this World Cup Finals Andres Iniesta. Who would go on to become a national
hero. Either Low will be the next Beckenbauer or he won’t. Either Sabella will
be the next Carlos Bilardo, or he won’t. The Maracana was a picture of nerves.
The Extra-time was an edge of the seat
affair. Bastian Schweinsteiger took an elbow to the face which led to him
having stiches. A battle scar for a true warrior. Both teams had good chances
to score a goal. Palacio had a great chance when he was one on one with Neuer
but lifted the ball over him and also over the elusive net.
Someone had to step up to be the hero, the
question was who would? With seven minutes to go Schurrle made a brilliant run
down the left and sent a beautiful ball in for gotze who chests it down and stabbed
it across Romero and into the net. The Justin Bieber faced assassin had given
Germany a new Hero. What a moment this was for the young kid. A goal that would
bring his grandchildren to tears. He would have made history by making the
Germans the first nation to win a world cup on South American Soil.
It wasn’t
over however. Argentina had a chance in the injury time of extra time with a free
kick on the edge of the box. If you would have asked Messi to pick up the ball
and place it for a free kick that’s exactly where he would have put it. A billion
people held their breaths for the master to dazzle them again. As soon as he
hit, he knew, Argentina knew, the world knew that it was all over. The ball
flew high over the net and we had new WORLD CHAMPIONS. Germany had defeated Argentina
to lift the most elusive crown.
The Germans won’t need a plane to go back
to Germany. They will fly without wings to Hamburg and Berlin and Munich and
Dortmund. They took the long road but they got there in the end. An Epic performance
from the most consistent team on the International Stage. Chokers no more!
Angela Merkel would be a proud lady today
as she shook hands with the heroes, the Men who would shape this Generation of
German football. The most deserving team always wins the World Cup, and so it
proved.
Is this a start of World domination? You won’t
be wrong for thinking so cause on this performance they just might become the
greatest team the country has produced. Its curtains to Brazil 2014. The long
road to Russia 2018 will now begin, but not before we cherish this victory and
dance long into the night.
Ole Ole Ole Ole Ole, GERMANY ARE THE WORLD
CHAMPIONS!!
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