Cut on Schweinsteiger's Face Symbolizes the Rush of Germany for Its 4th Title, the 1st "Playing Beautifully"

07/14/2014 - 10h14

Moments before Mario Götze scored the big goal that made Germany four-time world champion, in the second half of extra time, Schweinsteiger left the field bleeding, thanks to a punch by Sergio Agüero.

Receiving medical attention at the edge of the pitch, the defensive midfielder returned to cheers from the crowd. It seems to have been the password for the title.

Schürrle made a great play down the left, got rid of two Argentines and crossed over. Götze, 22, chested down and, without letting the ball drop, took a shot that Romero had no chance for.

When the Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli whistled for the end of the game, a human mountain formed on Schweinsteiger, all on top of the player Brazilians learned to admire, like a thanks for the courage.

The German victory carries a bunch of symbols. For the first time in history, a European team is champion in the Americas.

The country of Beckenbauer - and now Neuer, Müller, Lahm, Kroos, Hummels, Götze and Schweinsteiger - won a World title for the first time with technique and ability beyond the usual German efficiency.

All previous titles in 54, 74 and 90, were associated with a game of strength and pragmatism, in finals in which the other was either favorite or more innovative.

Not this time. The champion was the team that deserved it.

It was the first German title after the country's reunification in 1990. The previous win in that same year occurred before the official recognition, which occurred in October.

Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, celebrated with the team in the locker room at Maracanã.

It was the third Cup final in a row that went to extra time.

Germany is the first to win the FIFA Cup three times, which from1974 has replaced the Jules Rimet as the trophy of the champion.

When the captain Lahm lifted the Cup, shortly before Rousseff and Sepp Blatter were being booed - and she called names - for many Brazilians among the 74,738 present, the party was complete.

Schweinsteiger, with a bandage on his face, drew the line to rise to the grandstands. All rose and kissed the cup.

After greeting the fans, the champions formed a circle around the cup and, wrapped by a "O, O, O, O" coming from the stands (the chorus from the song "Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes, which became an anthem for fans of the country in the World Cup), danced somewhat clumsily. Some thought it looked like the pataxó dance of the Indians with whom they had interacted with during their time spent in Bahia.

Voted best in the world four times, the Argentine Messi was chosen as the best in the tournament. In the match, he was off most of the time.

In his best chance, 2 minutes in to the second half, he was freed up by Biglia, entered alone and took a shot that went out. He said the award was not important to him.

German coach Joachim Löw had his boldness rewarded. At 31 minutes in the first time, midfielder Kramer, Khedira's sub - who was left out due to a calf injury - also left injured. Löw put in attacking midfielder Schürrle in his place.

The Germans, under pressure, rose up. Schürrle not only made the play for the goal but was one of the best offensive options the team.

Another replacement by Löw was Götze, who was put in for Klose at 43 minutes into the second half.

The veteran striker, 36 years old and with 16 goals in World Cups, having surpassed Ronaldo as the top scorer during this World Cup, left to a standing ovation. The young striker came in and became a hero.

FAILURE, SUCCESS

The Brazilians helped to aggrandize the German title, while suffering the Brazilian team's biggest embarrassment in a hundred years - the rout in "Mineiraço".

The seven by the Germans in that game helped make this Cup equal the record for goals scored in World Cups, 171, the same amount as 1998.

While Brazilians were marked by emotional imbalance and tears on the field, the Germans had no choice but to celebrate.

"We're gonna party for at least five weeks. When the party's over, we will always raise a smile on our face," said goalkeeper Neuer, who was voted the best of the World.

Translated by STEVE HUGHES

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