On this day, eight years ago, the German national team rounded off perhaps the most impressive campaign in the history of the World Cup, when they defeated Argentina and lifted the “Goddess” trophy, for the fourth time in history.
After a major disappointment in South Africa, the German FA and Jokam Löw carefully constructed a machine that would become one of the most dominant sides in World Cup history just four years later.
Germany were one of the favorites to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but no one could have predicted the dominance that followed. The machine carefully managed by Joakim Lev started the tournament by thrashing Portugal 4-0 and finished the knockout stage as group champions without losing a game.
Although the man-of-the-match award eventually went to Leo Messi, Miller was the trademark of Leo’s army, and of his five goals in the tournament, three came against first-time victims Portugal.
Ghana were a pleasant surprise in the group stage as they managed a 2-2 draw against the Panzers in a damp Fortaleza – Miroslav Klose came on as a substitute and saved a crucial point against the Black Stars, while Müller’s fourth World Cup goal helped Germany to achieve victory against SADA, which will guarantee them first place in Group G..
KNOCKOUT PHASE
The inspiring Algerians were, somewhat surprisingly, the biggest threat to German domination. “Panzers” were pushed to the limit, before Andre Schirle and Mesut Ozil secured victory in extra time (2-1) at the “Beira-Rio” stadium and thus scheduled a quarter-final duel with France.
Germany reached their fourth consecutive World Cup semi-final by narrowly beating France in Rio thanks to Mats Hummels’ 13th-minute first-half strike.
The match, which should represent a football thriller, turned into a lullaby, thanks to the disciplined game of the future champions, who after the first goal, closed all approaches to Neuer’s goal.
Germany 7-1 Brazil
Brazil hadn’t suffered a competitive defeat at home for 39 years, and then their 62-match unbeaten streak ended with the biggest humiliating defeat in their history.
Brazil was without two of its most important players for this semi-final. Thiago Silva had to retire after a yellow card in the previous round, which he deserved for obstructing Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina while trying to take a shot, and the home stands also suffered for the poster boy – Neymar.
Germany made a mockery of Brazil’s defense and handed the host nation its heaviest World Cup defeat ever (7-1). The climax of the horror movie at the tearful “Maracana” was opened by Miller in the 11th minute, and then Klose, with his 16th goal at the World Cup in his career (which is still a record to this day), announced an unusual scene in the semi-finals of the biggest sports competition in the world.
David Luiz and Dante provided a spot of comedy amid the footballing horror, after their defensive indiscipline allowed Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira to score and Julio Cesar went for the ball five times in the opening half hour.
During the break, Lev held a team talk at halftime, like no one before. The German expert asked his players not to be too good.
– I didn’t want anyone to make a fool of the Brazilians in front of an audience of millions. The respect they showed us throughout the country was enormous. And for me it was completely unthinkable to humiliate them, or to show arrogance towards them – said Lev at the time.
However, although they did not try, they managed to add a goal in the second half, both of which were scored by substitute Andre Schirle. Oscar finally checked Neuer in the last minute, only to burst into tears along with the packed stadium, and put an end to the most fascinating match in the history of the World Cup.
FINALS
The final came, in which on one side stood a ruthless and terrifying unit of disciplined soccer masters, and on the other side the best soccer player in the history of the beautiful game who was on a desperate mission to finally make his country happy.
Argentinians are probably still reeling from Higuain’s mistake, when he missed the chance to checkmate Neuer one-on-one. In the second half, both teams created a couple of scoring chances, but without the right accompaniment, and even players like Lionel Messi and Thomas Miller were under the impression of the bright lights of the World Cup final.
With both sides deadlocked, the match went into extra time, and then the forgotten hero Mario Goetz entered the game. Schirle was the architect of the goal, when he went past two defenders on the left side and then put the ball into the penalty area, where the former Dortmund midfielder controlled the ball, then volleyed it into the net and thus scored the only goal of the match.
It was the end of a well-planned, methodical, and inevitably successful German mission, which was forever etched in the history of the beautiful game.
