2014 World Cup final: Götze's extra-time winner for Germany

On 13 July 2014 at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, Germany won their fourth World Cup with a 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina. Mario Götze volleyed in the winner in the 113th minute, assisted by André Schürrle.

A close, tense final

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, created the better first-half chances, but German keeper Manuel Neuer was outstanding. The game remained goalless until Götze’s moment of quality late in extra time.

Germany’s achievement

The title was Germany’s first as a united nation (their third as West Germany plus the 1990 triumph) and confirmed a golden generation built around Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thomas Müller.

Why it’s iconic

Played in the spiritual home of Brazilian football, the final crowned a German side that had thrashed the hosts 7-1 in the semi-finals — a tournament of contrasting emotions for the Maracanã.

Sources

• Wikipedia — 2014 FIFA World Cup final: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_final
• FIFA — 2014 World Cup: https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/brazil2014