TBT: Everything to remember about the 2014 World Cup
By Orri Benatar
Semifinals: The Mineirazo and another shootout
Who can forget these semifinals? I know I never will. Germany played Brazil in Belo Horizonte in what many felt could be an exciting game. The hosts were missing Thiago Silva from suspension and Neymar, who suffered a scary back injury in the quarterfinals.
Thomas Muller struck early for his 10th career World Cup goal. Miroslav Klose scored 10 minutes later to become the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer with 16. Then Germany scored a third. A fourth. A fifth. In the blink of an eye, Germany was up 5-0 after a half an hour. They won 7-1 for by far the most shocking result ever in World Cup history.
The second semifinal was less surprising as Argentina and Holland finished scoreless after 120 minutes. Krul did not come in to save penalties for what would be a World Cup record fourth shootout of the tournament. Argentina prevailed 4-2 on penalties and set up a date with Germany. It was the third straight World Cup Germany would play against Argentina and it was the third time the two nations would meet in a World Cup final.
Final: Super Mario Gotze wins it
After Holland beat Brazil 3-0 in the third-place match, the world was ready for Germany and Argentina. Argentina had a couple of chances early, but Germany’s defense took over in the second-half and the match went to extra time.
Two subs checked in for Germany, Mario Gotze, and Andre Schurrle. Gotze scored a volley off a Schurrle pass and Germany were world champions for the fourth time. Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament and went on to lose two more finals with Argentina in the next two tournaments.
The German machine was unstoppable in Brazil. They will look to be unstoppable again in Russia and become the third nation to defend the World Cup successfully. 2014’s tournament was one of the best. We had a record 171 goals, upsets, drama, penalties, and more. Here’s to 2018 being even better!