2014 FIFA World Cup Final: Germany Beats Argentina, 1-0
Mario Götze scored the game-winning goal in extra time, and Germany beat Argentina, 1-0, to win the 2014 FIFA World Cup final at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday afternoon. The victory gave Germany its first World Cup title since 1990 and fourth overall.
Finding the net to the left of Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero in the 113th minute, Götze's goal was the latest ever tallied in World Cup final history. Each team had goals nullified by offsides calls in the first half, and the two sides ended regulation scoreless, necessitating the 30 minutes of extra time.
Argentina's Lionel Messi, who won the Golden Ball as the tournament's most outstanding player, nearly gave his team the lead early in the second half, but he could not convert the shot. He also had a free kick near the end of the match, but it zoomed high over the bar.
Manuel Nueur of Germany won the Golden Glove as the tournament's outstanding goalkeeper. Colombia's James Rodriguez was awarded the Golden Shoe as the tournament's most prolific scorer.
Germany's Miroslav Klose, the all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history, played in his final tournament match. He received a loud ovation when he was substituted for in the 88th minute.
Sunday's match was the third consecutive World Cup final to go to overtime. Spain defeated the Netherlands in 2010, 1-0 in extra time.