Germany vs Argentina. At the Maracana. It doesn’t get bigger than this game, the 2014 World Cup final.
Both teams have taken alternate paths to get here. Argentina were essentially carried by Lionel Messi, the best player in the world, through the group stage.
Then they were taken to extra time by Switzerland, fought past Belgium, and went to penalties in the semi-final with Netherlands. Germany, meanwhile, took the scenic route: a glorious 4-0 thumping of Portugal in the group, a dropped point to Ghana, a narrow win against USA.
A resolute Algeria forced them into extra-time, and they had an ambition defining 1-0 win over France. Of course, what comes after is a World Cup memory unlikely to ever be forgotten; the 7-1 evisceration of Brazil at home that remains the gold standard of high profile embarrassments.
The 2014 World Cup final
But finals like this rarely provide goals, at least not for a while. Both teams had their opportunities.
Gonzalo Higuain infamously had the one on one with Neuer that he couldn’t utilise. Christoph Kramer was subbed off due to concussion, replaced by Andre Schurrle.
Messi had his chances, Germany had their chances, but the thrill of the first half was replaced by nerves and tension in the second.
Can anyone imagine what Mario Götze, told to warm-up on the sidelines by manager Joachim Löw, would have been feeling in that moment?
SANTO ANDRE, BRAZIL - JULY 05: Joachim Loew (L), head coach of Germany talks to Mario Goetze during the German national team training at Campo Bahia on July 5, 2014 in Santo Andre, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
What Götze was told by Löw
Löw is said to have whispered to him, per The Guardian: “Show the world you are better than Messi.” He went on at the 88th minute, in sight of a late winner, replacing Miroslav Klose but unable to find a spark of inspiration then.
And so to extra time we went. The game was fraught with tension. Götze played through Schurrle who was unable to convert, Palacio had a chance at the other end. Both teams would have one eye on penalties, a cruel way to decide the victors of the World Cup.
But as teams ponder about that possibility, you cannot afford to let your pedal off the gas. Even if the meter shows a near empty tank.
Two minutes before the goal, Argentina have control in their box, looking to create a chance via Messi. But they turn the ball over, and the German machine, ever so efficient, spring into action.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mario Goetze of Germany (L) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Thomas Mueller during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
The build-up to Götze's winner
They play the ball to Manuel Neuer, they ponder about the middle third, looking for openings, before going back to Neuer. Argentina concede a throw-in, then a foul.
They are tiring. Germany switch the ball to the other side, with Kroos feeding Schurrle on the wing.
The opposition have been lulled into complacency, or perhaps it is simply fatigue in an intense game. After all, Germany had the chance to coast through their semi-final, while Argentina were taken to penalties in theirs.
Schurrle advanced down the wing, where Götze currently was; seeing his intention, he drifted inwards into the box.
There’s no one marking him, as two defenders are currently on Schurrle. He whipped in a perfect cross, Götze controlled the ball on his chest, and volleyed the ball in even as he was falling over.
Video: Götze's goal vs Argentina
Germany 1-0, they wheel away in celebration, and that’s the game done. Just like that, his name is into the history books, the scorer of the winning goal that capped off a perfect tournament for the Germans.
Götze's journey to the 2014 World Cup
Götze at that point was only 23, a young prospect who blossomed into one of Europe’s hottest talents at Borussia Dortmund. Part of the side that won consecutive Bundesliga titles, he then jumped ship to rivals Bayern Munich after a barnstorming final campaign.
The season prior to the World Cup, he had ten goals and nine assists in the league, as he acclimatized to new surroundings and increased competition for his place.
For Germany, he was spent all but ten minutes of their Euro 2012 campaign on the bench, but slowly grew in importance.
Two goals in the final pre-tournament friendly as a substitute against Armenia was indicative of the role he would play in Germany. Even without the injured Marcos Reus, Germany had plenty of attacking options.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JULY 07: Mario Goetze of Germany prepares to come on as a substitute for the injured Jerome Boateng during the UEFA EURO semi final match between Germany and France at Stade Velodrome on July 7, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Götze incidentally had the first assist of the tournament for Germany, brought down in the box against Portugal, following which Thomas Muller converted the resulting penalty.
He also scored the opener against Ghana, a somewhat fortuitous goal that bounced in off his knee. But then gametime reduced: he only had 7 minutes against France in the quarter-finals, and didn’t come on against Brazil.
Götze lived the football fantasy that countless fans have dreamt of. Who amongst us haven’t imagined scoring the winning goal in the biggest game of all, in the most improbable of situations, as a substitute? Running away in sheer ecstasy, with wild celebration, soaking in the moment?
It must explain why the memory of his goal is etched in everyone’s minds. It was a tournament of iconic goals, and this doesn’t rank high on quality.
But the magnitude of it will never be forgotten. It’s an achievement he will always have with him, which ensures his name in the annals of Germany’s triumph.
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