The 2014 World Cup Final was an entertaining match that saw Germany, the tournament's best side, come out 1-0 winners over Argentina after extra time. Wednesday's game was a rematch between the teams, but it came nowhere near close to matching the intensity from what we saw in Brazil. It was plenty of fun, though, with Argentina downing the world champions, 4-2.
Germany vs. Argentina: Final score 2-4, Di Maria steals show
In a rematch of this summer’s World Cup Final, it was no Messi, no problem for Argentina, as they beat Germany 4-2 to start off the Tata Martino era.
Simon Hofmann
The Germans didn't bring out the World Cup Trophy in respect for Argentina, but the game started slightly late due to it being the first home match since the mid-July triumph in Rio. Bastian Schweinsteiger was named captain of Die Nationalmannschaft this week, but was unable to take part in the match due to a knee injury. This meant Manuel Neuer was Germany's captain. New Argentina boss Tata Martino was without Lionel Messi, but many of the players who were equally responsible for getting La Albiceleste to the final took part in this friendly.
Somewhat predictably, Martin Demichelis picked up the first booking of the match in the 17th minute for a poor challenge taking out Marco Reus. Twenty minutes in, Sergio Agüero got on the end of a beautiful outside-of-the-foot ball from just outside the area put in by new Manchester rival Ángel di Maria to put the visitors up, 1-0. Germany had a great chance after Argentina committed a sloppy turnover in their defensive third, but Sergio Romero was up to the task and saved the shot from Mario Gòmez. Agüero missed a chance to double his money 33 minutes on when his shot went just wide left after breaking down the right.
Promising Schalke youngster Julian Draxler was forced off with an injury in the 34th minute, and was replaced by Lukas Podolski. Draxler was able to jog off, so it was mostly precautionary.
Draxler off, dead leg (possibly)
— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) September 3, 2014 It got worse for the Germans in the 41st minute, when Erik Lamela smashed a volley into the top left corner, giving Neuer no chance after a cross from, you guessed it, di Maria. Gòmez missed another brilliant chance, shooting wide past an empty net after Romero could only parry a powerful Reus effort straight back at the attackers.
Roman Weidenfeller replaced Neuer in goal to begin the second half, and Podolski got the armband. Di Maria got his assist hat trick when Federico Fernández powered in a header at the back post on a cross from a set piece. Di Maria then hit a perfect chip shot just 3 minutes later, and before 50 minutes had gone in the match, it was 4-0. Germany responded almost instantly, as André Schürrle shot straight at Romero after the corner came in, and the rebound went right back to the Chelsea man who put it back in the net.
Mario Götze scored in the 78th minute to make it 4-2, after striking the ball into the middle of a crowd of Argentina defenders, striking one and going past Romero into the net. The goal frenzy was over after that, with both teams using all six subs eventually in hopes of seeing what some of their lesser-used players can do.
Germany: Manuel Neuer (Roman Weidenfeller 46'); Kevin Großkreutz, Mattias Ginter, Benedikt Höwedes (Anthony Rüdiger 77'), Erik Durm; Christoph Kramer, Toni Kroos (Sebastian Rudy 71'); André Schürrle (Thomas Müller 57') , Marco Reus, Julian Draxler (Lukas Podolski 34'); Mario Gòmez (Mario Götze 57').
Goals: Schürrle (52’) Götze (78’)
Argentina: Sergio Romero (Mariano Andújar 80'); Pablo Zabaleta (Hugo Campagnaro 77'), Federico Fernández, Martin Demichelis, Marcos Rojo; Enzo Pérez (Augusto Fernández 46'), Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia; Erik Lamela (Fernando Gago 68'), Sergio Agüero (Nico Gaitán 84'), Ángel di Maria (Ricardo Álvarez 86').
Goals: Agüero (20’), Lamela (40’), Fernández (47’), di Maria (49’)
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