Tactical Outlook of Mario Gotze’s historical World Cup Final Goal.

The last competitive World Cup Final we witnessed was Germany vs. Argentina in 2014. The World Cup 2018 final, France vs. Croatia, was pretty much one-sided to the Les Blues. Let’s take a flashback to the grandest event of 2014 and the only probable event where Messi could try to taste and capture the gold as his age is peaking.

Germany won the FIFA World Cup 2014 in extra time courtesy to a goal from the substitute Mario Gotze. Super Mario replaced the all-time World cup top scorer Miroslav Klose. Gotze also became the first-ever substitute to score the winner in a World Cup final and the youngest final scorer since 1966.



Let’s relive the goal that shook the world and brought the world cup to Germany

Germany’s Christoph Kramer gets assistance during the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)



The goal was assisted by Andre Schurrle, who was subbed in for Christoph Kramer after he was forced off the field following a concussion early in the game. Andre Schurrle started playing out on the left flank, which meant that Mesut Ozil was dropping centrally.

Tactical Outlook:

Mario Gotze made a good impact coming as a substitute after replacing the mostly ineffectual Miroslav Klose. Gotze played as more of a False-nine than Miroslav Klose, and it was his smart movement that tailored the winner for Germany.

Analysis:

Andre Schurrle received the ball from Bastian Schweinsteiger in the centre of midfield, then went ahead, as seen in the picture.

Pablo Zabaleta was supposed to mark Mario Gotze tightly but failed to do so as Gotze came to the centre of the pitch. This forced Zabaleta to follow him, which rendered him out of position. This situation allowed Andre Schurlle to use his pace and exploit the absent flank. Seeing Schurrle alone on the left side with no one to mark him, Zabaleta headed towards him. This made Martin Demichelis to come and mark Gotze.

Demichelis lost his marker for defending Mario Gotze, and Gotze took full advantage of it by exploiting Demichellis’ blindspot. The bulky defender almost forgot about Gotze at this instant, and the German was more than happy to accept it and dashed towards the goal.

A beautifully lofted pass was enough for Gotze to control it via his chest and volley it home as it fell to score the goal to break the deadlock of the match. The goal was no coincidence; Gotze intended to run behind, forcing Demichellis’ into an error that cost Argentina a World Cup in the dying minutes of the game.

Partial credits to Joachim Low, who asked Mario Gotze to show the world that he was better than Lionel Messi. The pep talk must have worked as a charm as his scream aided Germany to lift the trophy.

What could be better than scoring a World Cup final goal in just ten minutes? You choose.

Four years later, Lionel Messi would face another heartbreak at the hands of Didier Deschamp’s France at the Round of 16. While Germany would take a shocking group stage exit as if the Champions curse were to be real.