There can't be two winners in a game. The winners celebrate while the losers are left heartbroken. And it's even harder to take a defeat in World Cup finals as it comes only once in four years. On Sunday, it was Germany players and fans who burst into celebrations after a late goal in the extra time by Mario Gotze while Argentina players and fans were crestfallen when the referee blew the final whistle, and many cried as they couldn't think of their dreams being taken away minutes away from going to penalties.
The closely contested match was racing towards penalties after extra time was about to get over but substitute Gotze didn't let that happen as he took Andre Schurrle's cross by the chest and sent the ball into Sergio Romero's net just six minutes before the final whistle. The late superb goal nailed the victory.
Lionel Messi and his men did get chance to take the lead a couple of times but that was not to happen. Gonzalo Higuain got a wonderful chance to score after Toni Kroos' header back to the goalkeeper was not hard enough. He had only Manuel Neuer to beat but he sent the ball wide. He stroked the ball home just a few minutes later but it was ruled offside. Substitute Rodrigo Palacio also got a chance a few minutes into the extra time but his lob failed to find the net.
Germany also had a few chances. Ander Schurrle took Thomas Muller's pass and fired from 16 yards only to be saved by Sergio Romero. Then Benedikt Howedes almost took Germany into halftime lead when his header hit the left post.
As the hard-fought battle was about to go to penalties, Gotze got one chance and he didn't miss it, sending the ball into Argentina's net with his left foot. It was one of the best goals of the tournament, and the final was destined to end that way. With only six minutes to play, it was too late for Argentina to fight back. Messi took a free kick in the final minute, giving one last hope to level the score but he sent the ball far wide, and the referee blew the final whistle.
There was overpour of emotions both on the field and the stands. Germany team and fans shed tears of joy while Argentinean side shed tears of pain from the defeat.
Here are emotional pictures of Argentinean players and fans after the defeat on Sunday:
