Germany beat Argentina 1-0 to lift the 2014 Fifa World Cup at a packed Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro last night.
Cheered on by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the winning goal by Mario Gotze came just seven minutes before the end of extra time.
Typical of the precision that the Germans have shown consistently, Gotze demonstrated perfect technique and control by chesting down Andre Schurrle’s cross before finishing it off with his left foot.
Despite flashes of talent and promise, four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi could not lead his side to respond and Germany claimed their first World Cup since they beat the same opponents in Rome 24 years ago.
The last time Germany won was in 1990 before East and West Germany were reunified.
Germany became the first European team to win the trophy in South America. This will be their fourth World Cup win – and they are hoping to not have to wait another 24 years for the next one.
German fans celebrated at the stadium for more than an hour after the final whistle. In Berlin, ecstatic fans waved flags, lit flares, sounded their car horns and danced in the streets.
A homecoming celebration is planned on Tuesday, July 15, in Berlin.
