#FIFAWorldCup #USMNT
Showing posts with label fifa world cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fifa world cup. Show all posts
The Azzurri: the fools of April
Furious Italian media stuck the boot into their football flops after a painful penalty shoot-out defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina saw them miss out on a THIRD consecutive World Cup.
Argentina 3-3 (4-2 Penalties) France
That moment has arrived that an entire country was waiting for 36 years ago. A month ago it was just a wish, a dream. But little by little, it began to become reality. THE ARGENTINE SELECTION IS WORLD CHAMPION. The Albiceleste is at the top of world football. Hand in hand with Lionel Scaloni as coach, Lionel Messi as its great figure and captain, and with a team that invaded us with football and dedication until the end. After drawing 3-3 at the Lusail Stadium, they defeated France on penalties in the final and won the most coveted cup on the planet.
The match
The first chance was at the feet of Alexis Mac Allister, with a mid-distance shot that was well controlled by the goalkeeper. Argentina continued to control the party's strings. A collective move ended with a shot by Rodrigo de Paul who was looking for a rival goal, but was deflected by a defender.
France always waited in its own camp. La Albiceleste continued to control the rhythm of the game and, after the first 20 minutes, Dembelé committed an offense inside the area against Di María and Lionel Messi changed the penalty for a goal to break zero.
The second blow came with a lethal counter. Argentina came out with a quick transition to pure touch: from Molina to Messi, Leo opened to the right for Álvarez, Julián did the same for Mac Allister and it was Alexis who assisted Di María, who did not hesitate and defined before the goalkeeper left for the 2-0.
The second part began with the same trend as the first. Scaloni's team continued to manage possession of the ball, looking for spaces with a touch and breaking lines with the precision of their playmakers. De Paul was the one who had the first approximation of the complement, with a volley well controlled by Lloris.
Julián Álvarez also had his own: he received near the area and shot against the goalkeeper's right post, which he controlled in two stages.
At 70 minutes into the game, France had their first approach with an individual play by Mbappé, which culminated in a shot that missed over the crossbar.
With just over 10 minutes to go, Kolo Muani got into the area, Nicolás Otamendi took him by the shoulder and Mbappé correctly executed the penalty marked by the referee: Emiliano Martínez came to touch the ball, but could not prevent it from it gets against his right stick.
The European team was going to hit again. Once again it was Kylian Mbappé who managed to beat the Argentine goalkeeper and, with an accurate volley shot, made it 2-2.
The emotion lasted until the last moment of regulation time. Lloris shone with a phenomenal save against a mid-range shot from Leo Messi and thus forced the game to go into extra time.
The first part of the extra time was very even. Both teams tried to find air and strength after a round trip game. Lautaro Martínez had two dangerous chances in front of the goal, but the last French line drowned out his goal cry.
Argentina never gave up. He fought until the end with football and courage. And, after a rebound from Lloris after a shot from Lautaro Martínez, it was Messi who pushed her under the arc to make things 3-2. However, the story incredibly did not end. After a shot on the edge of the area, the ball hit Montiel's arm and the referee awarded the third penalty of the final: Mbappé put things back to the beginning to take the title to the penalty shootout. But before, Dibu Martínez had an anthology save to bring the team to life.
Argentina 3 (4) - France 3 (2)
This is how history should have been defined from the twelve steps: Mbappé himself was the one who opened the penalty shootout, a shot that the Argentine goalkeeper could not contain at all.
Lionel Messi equalized the score and, in the next execution, Dibu Martínez became a hero again after saving France's second penalty: history put itself to the advantage for Argentina, once again.
Paulo Dybala was in charge of keeping the score in favor of the Albiceleste with a shot in the middle and then Tchouaméni finished off the goal. With the goal from Leandro Paredes, Argentina sealed their difference by two goals.
If the Frenchman Kolo Muani missed his penalty, Argentina was champion. But when converting, it was Gonzalo Montiel who had the sacred and definitive cry, which would materialize in the third world star.
Summary of the party
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi and Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister; Ángel Di María, Julián Álvarez and Lionel Messi. DT: Lionel Scaloni.
France: Hugo Lloris; Jules Koundé, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano and Theo Hernández; Aurelien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot; Kolo Muani, Antoine Griezmann and Thuram; Kylian Mbappé. DT: Didier Deschamps.
Goals in the first half: 23m. Messi (A), from a penalty kick, and 36m. Say Maria (A).
Goal in the second half: 35m. Mbappé (F), from a penalty kick, and 36m. Mbappe (F).
Goals in the second extra time: 4m. Messi (A) and 12m. Mbappé (F), from a penalty kick.
Definition by penalties: Mbappé and Kolo Muani converted for France.
Messi, Dybala, Paredes and Montiel scored for Argentina. "Dibu" Martínez blocked the shot from Coman (F) and Tchouanémi (F) deflected his shot.
Changes in the first half: 40m. Marcus Thuram for Dembelé and Randal Kolo Muani for Giroud (F). In the second half: 19m. Marcos Acuna for Di Maria (A); 26m. Kingsley Coman for Griezmann and Eduardo Camavinga for Hernández (F). In the first extra time, at the beginning, Gonzalo Montiel for Molina (A); 5m. Youssouf Fofana for Rabiot (F); 12m. Leandro Paredes for De Paul and Lautaro Martínez for Álvarez (A). In the second half: 7m. Ibrahima Konate by Varane (F) and 10m. Germán Pezzella by Mac Allister (A) and 15m. Dybala for Tagliafico (A) and Axel Disasi for Koundé (F).
Admonished: Enzo Fernández, Acuña, Paredes, Montiel and "Dibu" Martínez (A). Rabiot, Thuram and Giroud (F)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland), accompanied by his compatriots Pawel Sokolnicki (first assistant), Tomasz Listkiewicz (second) and Tomasz Kwiatkowski (VAR).
Stadium: Lusail.
Audience: 88,966 viewers.
Passes, possession and goals
The Argentine team totaled 3,804 passes, achieved a possession average of 73.5 percent with an accuracy of 59% in the seven games that led them to their third World Cup after the 1978 and 1986 titles.
The numbers demonstrated the offensive vocation of the team led by Lionel Scaloni that had Lionel Messi as its scorer with 7 goals in six of the seven challenges he had on his way to the title.
The Rosario was the one who scored the most on the net and the breakdown is as follows:
Saudi Arabia (1), Mexico (1), Australia (1), Netherlands (1); Croatia (1) and France (2).
In the seven games the albiceleste team finished off the rival goal on 132 occasions and generated 48 goal situations in the rival areas.
In the Qatar 2022 champion team, 23 of the 26 players that made up the World Cup squad participated.
presidential salute
President Alberto Fernández greeted the Argentine team: "Thanks to the players and technical team. They are the example that we should not give up. That we have a great people and a great future," Fernández wrote on his Twitter account, adding : "Always together, always united. We are world champions. There are no other words. Thank you."
MATCH REFEREES:
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
Assistant 1: Pawel Sokolnicki (Poland)
Assistant 2: Tomasz Listkiewicz (Poland)
Fourth official: Ismail Elfath (United States)
Fifth official: Kathryn Nesbitt (United States)
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski ( Poland)
AVAR: Juan Soto (Ecuador)
OVAR: Kyle Atkins (United States)
SVAR: Fernando Guerrero (Mexico)
SBAVAR: Corey Parker (United States)
SBVAR: B. Dankert (Germany)
Argentina: 2022 FIFA World Cup Winners
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My name is Jean Gunnhildr. I am the Acting Grandmaster for the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt. And just recently, I met with Lisa over an upcoming contest in football. Lisa told me that this team comes from a nation with my name on it. ArJEANtina, was the name. I know that was not the exact spelling, but it was a cute pun, I had to admit. And there was a talisman trying to finally win this World Cup. A man named Lionel, or Leo for short.
As my sign is a lion, no surprise that this resonated with me. As I decided to pen a letter of support to the team and Leo ahead of the match with France, who was supported by Venti (this place is said to have the finest wines in the waking world, therefore it resonated with the bard), I suddenly felt the struggles of a long life of service to sports and people. An adventure of a lifetime, soon to meet a conclusion. But there was a catch. To ensure that the long and arduous search for this holy grail ended the way it was to end, it needed my clearance.
A straightforward assignment. I penned my words wisely.
===
18 December 2022
Lionel Andres Messi Cuccutini.
As your nation has my name on it (though I actually jest), turning back was never an option. So, do you still dare to dream, hero? My hope is that your dream ends and is transformed into a reality that you will find peace with. Let the wind lead. Good luck.
Signed,
Jean Gunnhildr
Acting Grandmaster, Knight of Favonius
ArJEANtina supporter from Mondstadt, Teyvat
===
Thus was the message sent. I was called to watch in the square with others of the contest. "Well, Master Jean, I am fine with whatever the outcome will be," said Venti. "I figured my team had done all it could do anyway, but you never know in a sport like this..."
"I am just glad that there is a place in the Traveler's world where my name seems to be embedded in its culture," I replied.
"Do they have good steak?" asked Amber with an expectant look.
"Well, Amber, the place is known for having raw meat that would rival our own in terms of marbling and flavor, according to my own collected intel," Kaeya said. "And Lisa's."
"Can confirm, Cavalry Captain," Lisa said. "But every victory must be earned, no matter what. As always. Let's have a seat and see how this goes."
"What's going on?" asked Paimon, accompanying Lumine.
Lumine noticed the big screen. "Soccer. It's that game." She checked her device and saw a message from many years ago, which said:
"December 18, 2022. 34 year old Leo Messi will win the World Cup and become the greatest player of all times. Check back with me in 7 years."
"Oh, it seems someone knew what would happen," Paimon said. "This person must know something we don't. And the stats on this post are exponentially increasing. Could it be...?"
23rd minute, a penalty conversion by Leo. And 13 minutes later, a man named Angel with a second. One half passed. 2-0 ArJEANtina. I had to laugh when I pronounced the country name with my name in it. It sounded so cute, yet so unhinged. But the real name, said to be Argentina, evoked many centuries of history, a mixture of cultures and heritages.
Time stood still as it passed, the closing half. It was my very first time watching a football match. But things started to turn on their heads. French Venti (he isn't French, though) was back in it thanks to a cheeky young man named Kylian. A penalty in the 80th and a follow-up in the 82nd. All square at two goals apiece. "Oh Venessa, is this real life? Or is this Fantasy?" I whispered, falling to my knees.
"Ohohoh, Jean, it seems the tables have turned...hic..." said Venti, gliding around in a carefree mood. "Ladies and gentlemen, I declare we have a grandstand finish to settle this once and for all."
"Mm-hmmm," said the others, simply nodding before going back to their seats to watch. The match would go to an additional two extra periods of 15 minutes, according to the game's laws.
"Lisa?" I asked her.
"Yes, Jean, what is it?"
"In all my years of going through stressful periods in my life, I have to admit, nothing ever prepared me for this."
"Well, that can only give me one conclusion?"
"What?"
She leaned in and whispered, "You're really, really enjoying this match."
I could only blush. She was right. Every pass, every duel, every challenge. every intent and emotion was felt in what some aficionados called "The Showdown Of The Century." Venti's team made some impressive clearances late in the first period, causing my head to be in my hands. My team was knocking on the door but I didn't like their wastefulness. A second period of extra time loomed.
In the distance, some fans were vocally discussing the game, some to the point of shouting things I won't say in this anecdote since they were really devout in their verdicts. I offered a prayer Venessa and to Varka, to ask my team to see this through and get the winner, because according to the laws, the match goes to a sudden death series of kicks from the penalty spot. Lisa debriefed me on the full laws in a massive tome that I chose to keep in my personal library for safe keeping.
As the period went on, I thought about a lot of things. Why was I working so hard? Why was I not taking breaks? Why was I being hard on Klee? I thought so many things...and some. In the 108th minute, Lionel scored on a follow-through that was verified onside via video assistant refereeing, a technology that perhaps the sages of the Akademiya could never have come up with.
All of a sudden, I jumped in the air, and screamed, "Hang in there ArJEANtina, I'm with you all the way! I'm with you! I'm with you! I'M WITH YOU!" And I fell to my knees, in my Sea Breeze Dandelion outfit, and prayed one more time, the tears falling out of my eyes. "Please let this work, please let this work..."
"Uh, is Jean okay?" asked Paimon, looking over her shoulder.
"Ahahahahah, I think...she got carried away here," Venti said.
"Do something about it, will you!?"
Venti pointed to the screen. "Penalty for my guys." 118 minutes in. Kylian made it 3-3, and all of a sudden, I was glowing and I was full of rage and...and...I had no idea what was going on because I was feeling a million emotions.
"Uh, Master Jean, you don't look so well..." Klee said. "Do you need a hug?"
"So close to completing the comeback for Kylian, he's good," Venti said, rubbing his hands.
Paimon went postal. "You stupid tone-deaf bard, take a look at what's going on with Jean right now, she's in some emotional danger!"
"Ah, no worries, she will be just...fine?" I was towering over him as the penalty shootout started. I was not even bothering to pay attention to the series. I was very fed up with Venti in so many ways, and I didn't know why. But before I could lay a hand on him, I collapsed in a heap.
"Oh no, Jean is...Jean is..." Paimon was in a panic.
"Sucrose, prepare some medication, everyone I will bring her back to her chambers," said a familiar voice.
"Diluc saves the day again," said Lumine.
"No surprise," Venti said.
Time passed. Time stood still. I opened my eyes. "What...happened?"
Diluc looked at me. "ArJEANtina did not miss a single penalty. They won.4-2."
And I had the biggest smile on my face as the tears came down.
"Master Jean!" exclaimed Klee. "Are you okay?"
"I am," I said, headpatting Klee before giving her the warmest hug I could ever give her as I looked into the distance. "I truly am. And I have never felt so happy in my life. I love you, Klee, Diluc, everyone."
"I love you too, Master Jean," she said, giggling.
"Well, all's well that ends well," Venti said. "I shall take my defeat moving forward. We made you work for it, so that will count as a win for me!" He walked into the distance and disappeared.
I think I have made a historic discovery. Argentina, or rather, ArJEANtina, will be my team in the Traveler's world from now on.
Signed,
Jean.
The Shame of Italy’s Second Straight World Cup Qualifying Failure
The Shame of Italy’s Second Straight World Cup Qualifying Failure
From “the Heroes of Wembley” to “the Disgraces of Palermo,” one loaded word holds the key to Italy’s sense of fan entitlement.
ANDREW GASTELUMMAR 25, 2022
The word “vergogna” is not one you see or hear often in Italy, but you wouldn’t know it from the last 24 hours.
Directed toward the Italian men’s national team, it was shouted from the crowd in Palermo on Thursday night. It was written with venom on the front pages of Friday’s morning paper. It was spelled out in all caps in WhatsApp group chats and it was discussed over the midmorning cappuccino. Frankly, it means “shame.” More colloquially it means “disgrace.” It is a word loaded with such contempt and pique that you have to think twice before using it in this country.
So to use it twice in five years, and to direct it at an entity that hardly impacts daily life, is a “vergogna” in itself. But in a calcio-crazed country such as Italy, there are few other things that warrant such frequent usage outside of other disturbing abominations like fettuccine Alfredo and the infamous bureaucracy.
But for the second straight World Cup, Italy has failed to qualify, and regardless of the circumstances, that alone is both a shame and a disgrace when you feel entitled to something.
There are certain things in Italy that feel like a birthright: a right to the world’s best food and wine, a right to complain about anything while you wait an hour in line at the post office and a right to occasional glory (but never shame) on the part of the Italian national team. It is that very sense of entitlement that leads a crowd to shout “vergogna” at the same players who, less than a year ago, were crowned champions of Europe.
The irony in Italy’s World Cup qualifying disgrace is that it fell victim to the very entitled pride that befell its rivals at the Euros while continuing to walk the tightrope that is brinksmanship. Italy was not the best team, nor even a favorite, at the Euros; it simply managed to survive three extra time games in the knockout stages, while other teams wrestled the hubris that comes with entitlement.
With no other clear front-runner, 2018 World Cup winner France was the powerhouse that appeared entitled to win Euro 2020 before losing in the round of 16. And perhaps it was entitlement that led England fans to sing “It’s Coming Home” before the final at Wembley against Italy, especially after Luke Shaw’s second-minute goal. Italy and Azzurri fans took advantage of that pride, only to take a drink from that poisoned chalice when World Cup qualifying began.
It is that very sense of entitlement that has pervaded the landscape of world—and Italian—soccer over the last year, mirroring a disturbing trend laced with privilege and greed even at an organizational level.
Before the European Super League, the only thing that seemed to unite Juventus fans with AC Milan and Inter supporters was the Italian national team. But when the Super League fell like a meteor from the sky, it was the closed-shop concept based upon the rich and “storied” clubs’ entitlement that united supporters against it. Ultimately, having teams’ places secured in an elite tournament proved too revolting to the spirit of competition and fair play, even if there were other insidious ways to make sure the playing field is anything but level.
So asking the question: “How did Italy lose to a team like North Macedonia?” not only discredits the spirit of competition and fair play that fans fought so hard to protect over the last year, but also only adds to the sense of entitlement that has plagued the sport. That is not where the “vergogna” should lie, nor should it take away from a blossoming nation’s biggest victory.
Rather, the shame comes from realization that Italy must spend at least 12 years without a World Cup appearance, years that essentially make up a generation. There are several players who took part in the 2018 World Cup disgrace, won the Euros last summer and were on the roster Thursday in Palermo.
Other than Marco Verratti, the core of this generation—players such as Wembley hero Leonardo Bonucci, Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile—has played only mere minutes in a World Cup as substitutes and injury replacements. Others such as Alessandro Florenzi and Jorginho may never play in a World Cup. And then there is Giorgio Chiellini, the beloved 37-year-old captain who bridged the generations, and whose final memory of playing in a World Cup will be of Luis Suárez sinking his teeth into the Juventus legend’s shoulder.
The unknown repercussions of what it does to the next generation of players and fans who don’t see themselves represented at the World Cup is where the shame truly lies. Because watching Italy win the 2006 World Cup gifted memories to entire generations while also inspiring the current group of players. Paying that experience forward, providing just the slim chance at a lifelong memory to your compatriots with whom so much more unites that divides, is always something to work for. The fact that this team wasn’t able to do that for its country twice in a row is the “vergogna.” And it is this duality that can label this generation “the Heroes of Wembley” during the summer and “the Disgraces of Palermo” in the spring.
There is no silver lining here, other than life will carry on as it so often does. The anguish of failing to qualify for the World Cup once again will fade. But that anguish will never erase the memory of millions taking to the streets to celebrate the Euros, just one year after Italy was ground zero for the pandemic in Europe. It will never erase the feeling of hugging neighbors and friends and strangers when we once lived in fear of contact with anyone from outside of our self-imposed and state-imposed bubbles.
If there is anything to fall back upon, it is that the narrative of sport is simply a revolving door of redemption and shame. Shame needs the hope of redemption and triumph to be able to pierce our hearts, and redemption needs the memory of shame in order to make victory that much sweeter. “Vergogna” sometimes warrants shouting, but it always warrants reflection. Now, Italy will have to wait four more years for a chance at redemption, while an entire generation continues to only know World Cup shame.
Live Blog: 2018 FIFA World Cup Final
This is it, the moment you wonderful football fans have been waiting for: the opportunity to find out which nation claims the right to be champions of association football in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, live from the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Didier Deschamps Bleus of France take on Zlatko Dalic's team of destiny, Croatia's Vatreni.
Two confident sides with the best form all tournament clash in the Federation's national capital. Croatia will be looking for payback, while France are due for redemption for their shortcomings at EURO 2016. The hashtags are #WorldCupFinal and #FRACRO. The live blog begins at 5 a.m. UTC-8 with a kickoff time of 8 a.m. UTC-8.
Live Blog: Belgium vs. England
Belgium invented pommes frites. England popularized fried fish. Makes sense, doesn't it? So, is the third place playoff in the 2018 FIFA World Cup a glorified friendly or a definite preview of the real main course coming up this fall, the UEFA Champions League? Both teams came agonizingly short of making the final on Sunday. Now, they will look to finish strong.
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue begins its live blog of the 2018-19 football season with the first of back-to-back live blogs, starting with #BELENG. Live action starts at 1 a.m. PT. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. PT. Hashtags are #BELENG and #WorldCup.
FIFA World Cup 2018 Wallpapers Available!
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Wallpaper Collection is now available! For 1920 x 1080 HD monitors. Enjoy! Good luck to all of our 32 participating teams!
Ale' Japan!
It's a time to be together.
We support the team forever.
Now our heroes will play the game.
And we will see you in front of us!
Are you ready for the fight tonight?
With the glorious uniform you will
Play with your heart!
Ale' Japan!
We're gonna sing for you... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Come be the champion... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
We're gonna sing for you... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Come be the champion... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Ale' Japan!
All game we'll sing united.
We'll be like another player!
Ale' Japan! You can win tonight!
And we will see you in front of us!
Are you ready for the fight tonight?
With the glorious uniform you will
Play with your heart!
Ale' Japan!
We're gonna sing for you... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Come be the champion... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
We're gonna sing for you... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Come be the champion... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Ale' Japan!
It's a time to be together.
We support the team forever.
Now our heroes will play the game.
And we will see you in front of us!
Are you ready for the fight tonight?
With the glorious uniform you will
Play with your heart!
Ale' Japan!
Ale' Japan!
Ale' Japan!
We're gonna sing for you... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Come be the champion... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Ale' Japan!
And we will see you in front of us!
Are you ready for the fight tonight?
With the glorious uniform you will
Play with your heart!
Ale' Japan!
We're gonna sing for you... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Come be the champion... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
We're gonna sing for you... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Come be the champion... Ole Ole!
Ale' Japan!
Ale' Japan!
Ale' Japan!
Ale' Japan!
Ale' Japan!
Ale' Japan!
The Chelsea Dagger
Well you must be a girl with shoes like that
She said you know me well
I seen you and little Steven and Joanna
Round the back of my hotel oh yeah
Someone said you was asking after me
But I know you best as a blagger
I said tell me your name is it sweet?
She said my boy it's Dagger oh yeah
I was good she was hot
Stealin' everything she got
I was bold she was over the worst of it
Gave me gear thank you dear bring yer sister over here
Let her dance with me just for the hell of it
Well you must be a boy with bones like that
She said you got me wrong
I would've sold them to you
If I could've just have kept the last of my clothes on oh yeah
Call me up take me down with you
When you go I could be your regular belle
And I'll dance for little Steven and Joanna
Round the back of my hotel oh yeah
I was good she was hot
Stealin' everything she got
I was bold she was over the worst of it
Gave me gear thank you dear bring yer sister over here
Let her dance with me just for the hell of it
Chelsea Chelsea I believe when you're dancing
Slowly sucking your sleeve
The boys get lonely after you leave
It's one for the Dagger and another for the one you believe
Chelsea I believe when you're dancing
Slowly sucking your sleeve
The boys get lonely after you leave
It's one for the Dagger, another for the one you believe
Germany: 2014 FIFA World Cup Champions
Germany are the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ champions, lifting the Trophy for the fourth time in their history after overcoming Argentina 1-0 courtesy of an extra-time goal by Mario Gotze at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.
The substitute settled a tie that was in the balance from the first minute until the last with a finish of startling composure given the circumstances, pressure and surroundings. His strike proved the difference, with Argentina unable to respond in what little time remained, adding another star to the Europeans' crest following their triumphs in 1954, 1974 and 1990.
A naturally frenetic beginning to the encounter brought an early sight of goal for Gonzalo Higuain. The genesis of the chance was actually a Germany free-kick, with rapid pressure from Ezequiel Lavezzi on the loose ball ultimately forcing an opportunity for his team-mate, who sought the far left corner with a low drive from an acute angle but dragged the effort wide.
Initial Nationalmannschaft dominance in possession petered out before the quarter-hour and, in succession, Lionel Messi, Pablo Zabaleta and Philipp Lahm were left bemoaning a lack of reachable targets inside the danger zone as they carefully picked out crosses from wide.
Neither participant in the finest opening of the first 20 minutes had anybody to blame but himself. Toni Kroos miscalculated a header back to his goalkeeper, merely finding Higuain unmarked and uncatchable. The Argentina forward seemed a certain scorer as he bounded towards Manuel Neuer but contrived to instead hook a right-foot shot off target to the left.
With 30 minutes on the clock, the Albiceleste No9 did put the ball into the net, but luck continued to desert the South Americans as the officials rightly adjudged him offside. After collecting a pass in freedom on the right flank, Lavezzi had swept a vicious centre along the corridor of the Germany penalty box to Higuain, who expertly guided home first time with a side-foot. But the flag was correctly raised and it remained goalless.
A moment later, Andre Schurrle was introduced by Joachim Low in place of the injured Christoph Kramer, who himself had been named in the starting XI at the last moment following an issue in the warm-up for Sami Khedira. The Chelsea attacker was involved almost immediately, controlling a Thomas Muller delivery and quickly blasting at goal only for Sergio Romero to pull off a save.
Though Germany largely contained Messi in the first half, the Barcelona superstar caused alarm before the break when he galloped along the right touchline and to the near post before being crowded out by a combination of defence and goalkeeper. At the other end, composed hold-up play by Miroslav Klose teed up Kroos for a shot that was simple for Romero.
There was still time in an absorbing period for defender Benedikt Howedes to thunder a header from Kroos’ precise corner against Argentina’s right post, with Muller ruled offside as he attempted to acrobatically send in a rebound from close range.
When the two sides returned after the break, Alejandro Sabella had decided on a change, with Sergio Aguero replacing Lavezzi in an advanced position. They started the brighter too and, as previously with Higuain, Messi dispatched a shot off his strongest foot wide of the far post from a narrow angle, having been found by a cute Lucas Biglia pass.
Trademark movement from the World Cup’s all-time top scorer, Klose, married with a lofted Lahm cross but the striker's header was little trouble to Romero. With each passing minute, the match became increasingly stretched, with neither team yielding in their attacking ambitions.
Enzo Perez was somewhat fortunate to pick out talisman Messi in the 75th minute, prompting the 27-year-old to arc around a series of German challenges at the outer edge of the area. The strike was always coming but when the No10 did unleash a curler and the massed ranks of Argentinians in attendance drew breath, it skewed harmlessly off target.
Back at the other end, Mesut Ozil was accurate in passing across the field to the onrushing Kroos, who realised the need to hit the ball instantly as opponents closed in. However, Romero was able to watch his cool side-foot drift wide. The Albiceleste goalkeeper was then equally comfortable in keeping out a Gotze daisy-cutter, heralding extra time in Rio.
The pace from the outset of the additional period was relentless; Schurrle smacked straight at the keeper, Aguero looked for a colleague from the left at the conclusion of a counter-attack and saw none, while substitute Rodrigo Palacio looped the ball over Neuer but lost control after taking down a fine Marcos Rojo inswinger in space.
Then, with seven minutes of the 120 remaining, the decisive moment arrived. Schurrle bulldozed past three Argentina defenders on the left flank, drawing Sabella’s charges out of shape and clipping over them to Gotze. The 22-year-old’s technique was exquisite, cushioning the ball on his chest and volleying at an awkward height, finding the far corner of the net to write his name into German and World Cup football folklore.
FINALLY!
Before Monday, few non-soccer die-hards knew John Brooks' name. Now he's an American hero, having scored the winning goal for the United States in the 86th minute of a 2-1 victory over Ghana.
Here are some things you should know about the 21-year-old who put Team USA in an unexpectedly strong position to reach the knockout stage of the 2014 World Cup:
Brooks has never lived in the U.S.
Brooks, also known as John Anthony Brooks, was born in Berlin while his father, Chicago native John Brooks Sr., was stationed in the German capital as a member of the U.S. military. Brooks grew up in the city, playing in the youth academy for Hertha BSC and later signing a professional contract with the club.
Facebook/John Brooks
Here's Brooks talking glowingly about his family, his dog and his love for what the Germans call "fussball." Note the accent -- he's definitely not from Los Angeles or NYC:
Brooks is quite happy to be playing for USA
Because of his American father, the 6-foot-3 central defender had a choice of national teams. He spent some time with both Germany and the U.S. in his younger years, but always preferred America.
"The United States is still my first choice," Brooks told The New York Times in 2012. "Playing for the German team was OK but America was a lot better."
This past August, Brooks made his senior-team debut with the U.S. in a friendly vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina. Team USA won 4-3.
AP Photo/Amel EmricBrooks once reportedly was benched for a tattoo ...
No, Hertha manager Jos Luhukay isn't anti-ink. He simply had no choice, reportedly, as Brooks' large back tattoo was so fresh when his team was set to take on Bayer Leverkusen this past April that Brooks had to sit out for fear that sweat and rubbing against the jersey would irritate the skin.
"I don't have any understanding for that," Luhukay told Berliner Morgenpost. "The tattoo could lead to an inflammation, and, naturally, that is not good."
... but not these tattoos
Brooks has a tattoo on each arm: one for his dad's hometown, and the other his own. Here they are, via Men in Blazers:
Courtesy Men in BlazersBrooks could join the Premier League
Transfer rumors should always be taken with a huge bag of salt. Still, reports from the U.K.say the likes of Everton (where U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard plays), Aston Villa (U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan), Stoke City (U.S. defender/midfielder Geoff Cameron), West Ham and Newcastle are interested.
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