World Cup Day 32 - The Final
[Monday 14th July 2014]
And just like that, the 20th World Cup is over, with Germany crowned world champions. 2 days removed, my head is still swirling with sadness that Argentina didn't win, joy at how great the tournament has been and depression that it's all over. But, before looking ahead, let's look back at the Final in Rio, where Europe won the trophy for the third time in a row.
Overall, Germany deserved to win the World Cup - when observers believed that no teams had stood out, they'd clearly forgotten about the 4-0 win over Portugal and the solid 1-0 over America. Perhaps the thrilling match against Ghana distorted opinions. But any team which destroys Brazil 7-1 deserves to win the tournament, which Low's men duly did. On the day though, I think Argentina were the better side in a very entertaining match and will be bitter about the outcome. Despite having 0 shots on target, stats don't always tell the story and the game hinged on three huge moments.
With an extra recovery day, the Germans had an advantage - especially when you could argue they had longer. Whilst the Argies went all the way to penalties against a competitive team, Germany visibly stopped trying after 30 minutes the night before. It didn't stop them scoring two more, though! There was some team news drama after the pre-match warm-up, with Sami Khedira injuring himself and having to be replaced by Christoph Kramer. Once the closing ceremony and all the corporate messages finished, it was time to start the biggest thing on Earth.
In the first daylight World Cup Final since 1994, Argentina started the better side with Messi being a constant threat in his date with destiny. The first huge moment was Gonzalo Higuain's shocking miss. Toni Kroos misjudged a header back to Neuer, leaving the Napoli striker clean through on goal. He dragged it wide. Minutes later, Higuain thought he'd redeemed himself by scoring the opener, but his eagerness saw him stray offside. Ezequiel Lavezzi was a torment to the Germans, playing out of his skin. Then Kramer - a largely unknown player given a late nod for a World Cup Final - got injured too, lasting only 31 minutes. Howedes' thumping header hit the post shortly before the referee ended the first half at 0-0.
For some reason, Sabella took off Lavezzi at half-time, replacing him with a half-fit Sergio Aguero, and Argentina didn't quite look the same. They started like a house on fire though, as Messi's shot from a tricky angle went wide, amongst other raids on Neuer's goal. The second huge moment gave a haunting flashback to 1982's infamous Schumacher/Battiston incident in Spain. Whilst chasing a long ball, Higuain found himself assaulted by Neuer before landing painfully on the floor. After a few nervy moments, the Argentine came off better than Battiston did and was able to carry on. Like 1982, the referee gave nothing for the incident and Neuer - incredibly - stayed on the pitch.
Soon after, the third. After coming off the bench with his ugly rat-tail, Palacio was through on goal with time to do whatever he wanted with his shot. With the goal at his mercy, he chose to loft the ball over Neuer and watch it go wide. It clearly wasn't meant to be Argentina's day. Despite kneeing Higuain, Neuer put in another commanding performance, as did Schweinsteiger and Javier 'The Masher' Mascherano. As players tired - especially the Argentinians - extra time loomed large. At full time, we were still stuck at an entertaining 0-0.
With penalties looking inevitable, the decisive blow finally came in the 113th minute. Substitute Mario Gotze exploited a huge hole in the tired Argentine defence, chesting Andre Schurrle's cross and showing wonderful technique to poke the ball into the corner, past Romero, on his left foot. German delirium and Argentine agony followed - we all knew it was staying 1-0. And - after Messi's sky high injury time free kick - the whistle that ended the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Germany are the world champions for the fourth time (with the three before unification) and the first since 1990. Imagine how good they'd have been with a fit Marco Reus and Lars Bender!
With contrasting emotions both on the pitch and in the stands, the scenes were a microcosm of football and the way it affects our lives. Eventually, after heavy booing for Sepp Blatter and the German players bringing their top notch other halves on to celebrate, Phillip Lahm joined the likes of Bobby Moore, Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro and Diego Maradona by lifting the World Cup trophy high into the sky. Toni Kroos announced his move to Real Madrid, whilst individual honours were handed out by officials. Most controversially was Messi receiving the Golden Ball for being player of the tournament.
Apparently, many people disagree with this and I don't know why. Perhaps he didn't perform like we hoped he would in the Final, but until then he was one of the five or six outstanding performers in this tournament. It seems fashionable these days to be a Messi-basher, but he's one of the greatest players of all-time and still at his devastating best. He dragged Argentina to the quarterfinals, the same stage that James Rodriguez left the competition, despite being treated specially by almost every opponent. Outstanding players in this tournament include Neuer, Schweinsteiger, Mascherano, Rodriguez, Messi, Robben and Kroos. Considering the Golden Ball was decided before the Final, there shouldn't be an issue with Messi winning it.
Golden Glove went to Neuer, whilst Golden Boot went to Hamesshhh Rodriguez and Paul Pogba won the Young Player award. All that was left was for the BBC - with their pundits dressed in suits and Rio Ferdinand looking like an Easyjet pilot - to say goodbye to the retiring Alan Hansen and play their traditional end-of-tournament montage. It was spine-tingling and sensational, as always. Absolutely top-drawer work from the BBC.
At a time when I'm disillusioned with football and actively hate the club I've loved all my life, this World Cup came at a perfect time. This month has reminded me why I love football so much and was a wonderful festival of The Beautiful Game. I'm glad the Final didn't go to penalties and we got a proper winner, rather than deciding our world champions on a pot-luck penalty shootout. It was a great World Cup - even though the knockout stages didn't match the quality of the groups, what it lacked for in goals was made up for in drama.
So back to Newcastle United I go, knowing it's another four years until football becomes enjoyable again. I'll be blogging soon to look back at this World Cup's best and biggest moments. Until then, try to survive this massive feeling of emptiness!
And just like that, the 20th World Cup is over, with Germany crowned world champions. 2 days removed, my head is still swirling with sadness that Argentina didn't win, joy at how great the tournament has been and depression that it's all over. But, before looking ahead, let's look back at the Final in Rio, where Europe won the trophy for the third time in a row.
Overall, Germany deserved to win the World Cup - when observers believed that no teams had stood out, they'd clearly forgotten about the 4-0 win over Portugal and the solid 1-0 over America. Perhaps the thrilling match against Ghana distorted opinions. But any team which destroys Brazil 7-1 deserves to win the tournament, which Low's men duly did. On the day though, I think Argentina were the better side in a very entertaining match and will be bitter about the outcome. Despite having 0 shots on target, stats don't always tell the story and the game hinged on three huge moments.
With an extra recovery day, the Germans had an advantage - especially when you could argue they had longer. Whilst the Argies went all the way to penalties against a competitive team, Germany visibly stopped trying after 30 minutes the night before. It didn't stop them scoring two more, though! There was some team news drama after the pre-match warm-up, with Sami Khedira injuring himself and having to be replaced by Christoph Kramer. Once the closing ceremony and all the corporate messages finished, it was time to start the biggest thing on Earth.
In the first daylight World Cup Final since 1994, Argentina started the better side with Messi being a constant threat in his date with destiny. The first huge moment was Gonzalo Higuain's shocking miss. Toni Kroos misjudged a header back to Neuer, leaving the Napoli striker clean through on goal. He dragged it wide. Minutes later, Higuain thought he'd redeemed himself by scoring the opener, but his eagerness saw him stray offside. Ezequiel Lavezzi was a torment to the Germans, playing out of his skin. Then Kramer - a largely unknown player given a late nod for a World Cup Final - got injured too, lasting only 31 minutes. Howedes' thumping header hit the post shortly before the referee ended the first half at 0-0.
For some reason, Sabella took off Lavezzi at half-time, replacing him with a half-fit Sergio Aguero, and Argentina didn't quite look the same. They started like a house on fire though, as Messi's shot from a tricky angle went wide, amongst other raids on Neuer's goal. The second huge moment gave a haunting flashback to 1982's infamous Schumacher/Battiston incident in Spain. Whilst chasing a long ball, Higuain found himself assaulted by Neuer before landing painfully on the floor. After a few nervy moments, the Argentine came off better than Battiston did and was able to carry on. Like 1982, the referee gave nothing for the incident and Neuer - incredibly - stayed on the pitch.
Soon after, the third. After coming off the bench with his ugly rat-tail, Palacio was through on goal with time to do whatever he wanted with his shot. With the goal at his mercy, he chose to loft the ball over Neuer and watch it go wide. It clearly wasn't meant to be Argentina's day. Despite kneeing Higuain, Neuer put in another commanding performance, as did Schweinsteiger and Javier 'The Masher' Mascherano. As players tired - especially the Argentinians - extra time loomed large. At full time, we were still stuck at an entertaining 0-0.
 |
| So that rat tail DOES have a use! |
With penalties looking inevitable, the decisive blow finally came in the 113th minute. Substitute Mario Gotze exploited a huge hole in the tired Argentine defence, chesting Andre Schurrle's cross and showing wonderful technique to poke the ball into the corner, past Romero, on his left foot. German delirium and Argentine agony followed - we all knew it was staying 1-0. And - after Messi's sky high injury time free kick - the whistle that ended the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Germany are the world champions for the fourth time (with the three before unification) and the first since 1990. Imagine how good they'd have been with a fit Marco Reus and Lars Bender!
With contrasting emotions both on the pitch and in the stands, the scenes were a microcosm of football and the way it affects our lives. Eventually, after heavy booing for Sepp Blatter and the German players bringing their top notch other halves on to celebrate, Phillip Lahm joined the likes of Bobby Moore, Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro and Diego Maradona by lifting the World Cup trophy high into the sky. Toni Kroos announced his move to Real Madrid, whilst individual honours were handed out by officials. Most controversially was Messi receiving the Golden Ball for being player of the tournament.
 |
| Phil Jones adding 'pitch invader' to his skill set. |
Apparently, many people disagree with this and I don't know why. Perhaps he didn't perform like we hoped he would in the Final, but until then he was one of the five or six outstanding performers in this tournament. It seems fashionable these days to be a Messi-basher, but he's one of the greatest players of all-time and still at his devastating best. He dragged Argentina to the quarterfinals, the same stage that James Rodriguez left the competition, despite being treated specially by almost every opponent. Outstanding players in this tournament include Neuer, Schweinsteiger, Mascherano, Rodriguez, Messi, Robben and Kroos. Considering the Golden Ball was decided before the Final, there shouldn't be an issue with Messi winning it.
Golden Glove went to Neuer, whilst Golden Boot went to Hamesshhh Rodriguez and Paul Pogba won the Young Player award. All that was left was for the BBC - with their pundits dressed in suits and Rio Ferdinand looking like an Easyjet pilot - to say goodbye to the retiring Alan Hansen and play their traditional end-of-tournament montage. It was spine-tingling and sensational, as always. Absolutely top-drawer work from the BBC.
At a time when I'm disillusioned with football and actively hate the club I've loved all my life, this World Cup came at a perfect time. This month has reminded me why I love football so much and was a wonderful festival of The Beautiful Game. I'm glad the Final didn't go to penalties and we got a proper winner, rather than deciding our world champions on a pot-luck penalty shootout. It was a great World Cup - even though the knockout stages didn't match the quality of the groups, what it lacked for in goals was made up for in drama.
So back to Newcastle United I go, knowing it's another four years until football becomes enjoyable again. I'll be blogging soon to look back at this World Cup's best and biggest moments. Until then, try to survive this massive feeling of emptiness!
