By Joe Lami

Germany was claimed to be the strongest team of the 2014 World Cup going into the Final and they proved it on Sunday defeating Argentina 1-0.  Germany is the first European country to win the Cup in any of the Americas (North, Central or South), and has claimed their first World Cup since 1990, where they defeated the Argentines.

Germany owned much of the possession in the final, out-possessing Argentina 60%-40%.  However, both teams ended the game with ten shots, with the Germans having the upper-hand in shots on goal 7-2.

It took extra time for Germany to claim the only goal of the match, but there were a couple of chances for each side.  The best chance came in the closing minutes of the first half when Benedikt Howedes found himself opened for a header off of a corner kick, but couldn’t capitalize on it as he found the right post.

The second half ended with Germany firing on all cylinders, and it showed as in the 91^st minute Andre Schurrle fired a right-footed shot right at Argentinean Goalie, Sergio Romero.

Germany would finally find the scoreboard on one of the prettiest plays of the entire tournament when Andre Schurrle made a run down the left side, crossed it over two defenders getting it to Mario Goetze. Goezte settled the ball off of his chest down to his left loot, and made a sliding shot into the bottom right corner of the net for the World Cup winner.

Despite the loss, Argentinean Striker, Lionel Messi was voted the winner of the Golden Ball for the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.  German Goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer was awarded the Golden Glove for Most Valuable Goalie of the Tournament.