Joachim Löw told him: 'Show the world you are better than Messi!' And Mario Gotze did EXACTLY that! In the 113th minute of the 2014 World Cup Final, the young German substitute controlled a cross on his chest, let it drop, and volleyed past Sergio Romero with his left foot. The Maracana fell silent — the Argentines could not believe it. Germany won their FOURTH World Cup, and a 22-year-old substitute became the hero of the entire nation!
Country: Germany Opponent: Argentina Year: 2014 Round: Final Score: Germany 1-0 Argentina (AET) Minute: 113'
The Moment
- Gotze came on as a substitute and scored the only goal in the 113th minute of extra time
- He controlled Andre Schurrle's cross on his chest before volleying with his left foot
- Manager Joachim Low famously told him before coming on: 'Show the world you are better than Messi'
- Germany won their fourth World Cup title at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro
- It was the first World Cup won by a European team on South American soil
The Verdict
Gotze's goal was the absolute stuff of fairy tales. A young substitute, just 22 years old, scoring the winning goal in a World Cup Final at the iconic Maracana with a chest-and-volley. You could not possibly write a better script than that. Sadly, injuries derailed his career afterwards, but that one glorious moment made him immortal in German football history!
Tomorrow: #14 — Stay tuned for the next legendary goal!
