Super Mario World Cup

Substitute Mario Gotze proved to be the hero as Germany won their fourth World Cup with a 1-0 win over fellow footballing giants Argentina.

Germany had been the best team in the tournament and fully deserved their extra-time win, although Argentina will no doubt be regretting the big chances they missed in the Maracana Stadium.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who was named as the player of the tournament, and striker Gonzalo Higuain were the biggest culprits for the South Americans who failed to register a single shot on target during the 120 minutes. It was always going to be difficult against Manuel Neuer, who deservedly claimed the goalkeeper of the tournament prize, but it was surprising how little the Bayern Munich man was called into action.

Higuain should have done better when a misplaced header from Toni Kroos put him through on goal, but the Bayern Munich midfielder miscued his shot. Higuain thought he had scored the opening goal soon after, only to see his effort disallowed for offside.

It looked like the South Americans were finally going to break the deadlock in the early stages of the second half, but the usually reliable Messi shot agonisingly across the face goal. If Argentina had wanted the chance to fall to anyone it would have been that man. Messi can be proud of how he inspired his team to the final with four goals, so maybe it just wasn't meant to be his day.

Germany also wasted chances of their own but it was Argentina who would've been the most disappointed at end of 90 minutes, wondering what might have been had they been more clinical.

At times it had seemed like a great end-to-end game, while at other times it seemed too cagey as there were spells in the game where not a lot happened. The game was finely balanced going into extra time with either side capable of taking the title.

Rodrigo Palacio lobbed wide for Argentina before Gotze netted the decisive goal with just seven minutes left on the clock, becoming the first substitute to score the winner in a World Cup final. Gotze latched onto a pass from fellow substitute Andre Schurrle, showing excellent control to calmly chest the ball before hitting it sweetly first-time beyond Sergio Romero in the Argentina goal. Gotze is only 22-years-old and has plenty more World Cups left in him and it is great to see youngsters like him and Colombia's James Rodriguez coming to the fore at this tournament.

Argentina may have only trailed for seven minutes in the entire tournament but it was those seven minutes that proved the most pivotal and left the South American giants in an understandable emotional mood at the final whistle.

Germany became the first European side to win a World Cup on South American soil and, when considering the young age of their squad, this group of players could progress even further and may even help the champions to equal Brazil's record of five titles. Joachim Low's men will no doubt fancy their chances in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and scoring 11 goals in two games against Portugal and hosts Brazil proves they really mean business. It probably sounds like I am being far too positive about a German side I should really hate, being an England fan and all. But as the tournament went on I couldn't help but admire Low's men. They didn't have it all their own way in the tournament but how they took apart Portugal and Brazil was nothing short of superb. Maybe this tournament has reduced my dislike of the Germans slightly as they really do deserve to be world champions and their squad is fantastic. As for their manager, I'd take him at Arsenal when Arsene Wenger decides to retire, as Low has done an immense job this year. Ok, I'll stop praising Germany now (at least for a short while) before people start talking!

It may not have been the final of all finals we had been hoping for but it was still on a knife edge, with either side capable of coming out on top going into the final 10 minutes. It is a shame it wasn't the 4-3 I had predicted in the final, but still a great way to end, arguably, the greatest World Cup of my lifetime.

Brazil imploded horrifically in their 7-1 defeat to the Germans in the semi-final but they can hold their heads high and be proud in terms of the tournament they put on. It has been a truly wonderful month of football and one I will cherish forever, despite my beloved England failing to even make it beyond the group stages. That tainted it slightly, but not enough to prevent it from being my favourite ever World Cup. There was so much drama, shocks and entertainment to keep the fans on the edge of their seats and it is a real shame it has now drawn to a close.

Not only has it provided me, and many other football fans, with top quality viewing but has also given me such great material to write about for the last month. The matches may be over but it is not quite the end of the World Cup blogging, with my final reflections and post-tournament awards still to come.

Let the drama continue for many World Cups to come!

World Cup 2014 - Among the best and one to remember!