2014 World Cup Thoughts: The Finals

Between June 15, 2011 and November 20, 2013, 203 teams from across the world competed for a place in this year’s FIFA World Cup. Of those 203 teams, 32 went through to the Group Stage, which began June 12, 2014. After a month of football, it all came down to two teams fighting it out for the coveted title of World Champions. That match took place yesterday. Before we talk about that, let’s first talk about the runner-up game.

Brazil v. The Netherlands

After a fairly decisive 7-1 whooping by Germany, Brazil needed this game to salvage some self-respect. The Netherlands, on the other hand, ended up here after a penalty shoot-out against Argentina. The Dutch had already shown themselves to be a world-class team, so they really had nothing to prove. Perhaps with Silva back on the field, Brazil could save some face by at least providing a challenge to the Netherlands. I think Brazil did play a better game, but it wasn’t enough. Maybe Silva made a difference. Perhaps the loss of Neymar was too much of a psychological blow to the team. Either way, Brazil can take comfort in the fact that they were only beaten 3-0. There was some controversy over a couple of the Dutch goals. One came about when the referee called for a penalty on a Brazilian foul he thought happened inside the goal area. The replay showed it was just outside and should have been a free kick, but, as always, the ref’s decision is final. The second Dutch goal was ever-so-slightly offside, which, again, we can only appreciate thanks to slow-motion replay. None of the officials saw it, so the goal was allowed. There was no question about the third goal, and despite some opportunities, Brazil was never able to catch up. The Netherlands played a great game, and deserve third place. Brazil can count themselves blessed that they came in fourth. There are many, even in their home country, that don’t think they earned that much.

Argentina v. Germany

This was not going to be an easy match for either Argentina or Germany. Both teams deserved to be in the final because, over the course of a month, they demonstrated themselves to be the best in the world. Germany played a tight, possessive game, and Argentina defended well, sending the ball up the field on the feet of Messi, or another striker as they had the chance. There were bad referee calls that could have turned the tide, but after 90 minutes, there were no goals, and the game went into extra time. Well into the second half of extra time it looked like the game would go to penalties, but then the young German substitute, Mario Götze, took a brilliant pass from Schürrle (another substitute), and with impeccable control sent the ball past Argentine goalie Sergio Romero and into the back of the net. It was the kind of skillful play that epitomized the talent we’ve seen on display throughout this tournament.

And so the 2014 FIFA World Cup ended on yet another landmark win: the first time a European team has won the World Cup on South American soil. Argentina’s Lionel Messi was awarded the Golden Ball for Best Player of the Tournament. Messi’s a great player, but honestly I think James Rodriguez of Columbia deserved this, having scored six goals in six games. Germany’s Manuel Neuer won the Golden Glove for Best Goalkeeper, and I won’t argue that at all.

I said it before, and I’ll say it again: this was one of the best–if not the best–World Cup tournaments I’ve ever had the pleasure to watch. Over the last month we’ve seen why this game is so popular throughout the world.

And that about does it for me as sports reporter! 2018’s contest will be in Russia. More football talk then… 🙂