ADVERTISING

Latest Photo Galleries

Signs of Tension Signs of Tension

Published on 04/11/2016

Rio: a City in Metamorphosis Rio: a City in Metamorphosis

Published on 11/19/2015

Brazilian Markets

17h30

Bovespa

+0,32% 128.106

16h43

Gold

0,00% 117

17h00

Dollar

+0,68% 5,0140

16h30

Euro

+0,49% 2,65250

ADVERTISING

Opinion: The Victory of a Smile

07/14/2014 - 11h57

Advertising

PAULO VINICIUS COELHO
FOLHA COLUMNIST

The German world title is deserved. The country did more to unveil players, keep them within its league, winning club and national team titles.

But the total football stumbled in a well-made marking, for the next two lines without room to play behind the the defenders.

Portrait of a more modern style were also hindered by a lack of space, and this was the model of the World Cup with the most goals in history.

In 56% of the matches, those with more time of possession failed to win.

During the first 45 minutes, only Thomas Müller could break through the Argentine lines, sometimes playing behind them. Germany broke this rule, but it took forever to get it.

Germany scored 18 goals and was champion with the best attack. A third of the set pieces, more than the average in the World Cup - only 23% arised from fouls, corner kicks and penalty kicks.

Mario Götze scored his first goal for the national team in a friendly against Brazil three years ago.

And the most important of all in the Cup final, a game after butchering the Brazilian national team. He celebrated smiling.

Contrast to the crying by Brazil and after the defeat by Argentina. For the third Cup in a row, the team with the superstar player did not win, but the whole team.

The best in the World Cup remained in third place, Arjen Robben. And Neymar, who would have had some difficulty being the protagonist at age 22, succumbed by the absence of the collective game.

The lesson in this World Cup is that total football, all together, is what makes a smile.

Translated by STEVE HUGHES

Read the article in the original language

You have been successfully subscribed. Thanks!

Close

Are you interested in news from Brazil?

Subscribe to our English language newsletter, delivered to your inbox every working day, and keep up-to-date with the most important news from Brazil.

Cancel