I am much excited to write my post for this contest, but before I commence I would like to say a very big thank you to @njaywan and @worldoffootball for this great contest given.
A Brief History of the Soccer World Cup
The need for an International football program for the top football nations in the world was due primary to the Olympics' restrictions against salaried athletes. In 1930, The Federation Internationale de Football Association which is also known as FIFA held the first football World Cup tournament in Uruguay, Montevideo.
Behind another two events in 1934 in Italy and 1938 in France, there had to be a 12 year break due to the World War, before starting again in 1950 in Brazil. The FIFA World Cup has been held every four years till now. Thirteen (13) teams took part in the first World Cup in 1930. Then till 1978, the competition was between 16 teams, then it was then increased to 24 from 1982, then to the present level of 32 teams from 1998. In the year 2017, a decision was made to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from 2026 along.
The format will contain a number of 16 groups of three (3) teams.
With all that said from the above I have withnessed a lot of the wrold cup tournamensts. But there is this world cup finals I will never forget. It took place in 2014 between Germany and Argentina.
Germany fans were determined to see their side stop Argentina winning in the home of Brazilian football
source
Germany were topped world conqueror for the fourth(4th) time as Mario Gotze's extra time winner defeated Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final. Gotze showed off a perfect trick and notable calm to chest down Andre Schurrle's pass and sweep in a left foot finish with the aim of causing a penalty shootout only seven(7) mins away.
Argentina, with the great Lionel Messi looking dejected despite flashes of his talent, was not able to respond and Germany profess their first World Cup since they defeated the same opponents in Rome, that was 24 years ago.
The victory means Joachim Low's side have become the very first European team that win the cup in South America.
Gonzalo Higuain squandered Argentina's greatest chance in the first half while Germany defender Benedikt Howedes slam the post with a header before half-time.
Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain had spurned a golden opportunity in the 21st minute of the final
source
Germany had to re-form after losing the key midfielder Sami Khedira to wound in the warm up and his substitute Christoph Kramer was a headache to the opponents before halftime - but they motioned off these hindrance to write another successful chapter in their sporting history.
Argentina's fans were the vast mass of a crowd that generated a vibrant atmosphere inside field (Maracana) - although Germany's supporters were well represented to and had the backup of many yellow clad Brazil fans who still turned up even though seeing their hopes of watching the hosts in the World Cup ultimate bound by that stunning semi-final defeating at the hands of Germany.
Germany defender Benedikt Howedes headed against the post in first-half stoppage-time
source
German fans stayed in their spots for more than one hour after the final whistle as the victorious side indulged in lengthy jubilations of a win that vindicated the rebuilding plan put in place when they went through the humiliation of going out of Euro 2004 at the group stage, which issued in then coach Rudi Voller's resignation.
Argentina failed to have a shot on target in the whole game and the four time world player of the year Messi seemed an increasingly worn out figure as the game was still going on. Also The Barca star never stopped attempting to carry his team above the line in the manner achieved by his great forerunner Diego Maradona, who motivated them to their last World Cup when they defeated Germany in Mexico in 1986.
Argentina did not manage a shot on target, with Lionel Messi dragging a decent chance wide
source
For Germany, this absolute the change for a group of emerging players like Golden Glove winner Manuel Neuer, midfielder Mesut Ozil, defender Mats Hummels, captain Philipp Lahm, Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos and even Khedira who was injured.
The Bayern Munich midfielder brought a misplaced header that sent Higuain clear on goal but the striker didn't live up to his upraised reputation with a horrifying miscued finish that didn't trouble Neuer.
Higuain had the ball in the post soon after from Ezequiel Lavezzi's cross but he was plainly offside - although his lenghthen celebration suggested he thought differently. As Argentina kept troubling the the German defence, it needed a critical clearance from Jerome Boateng on the goalline as Messi pulled the ball back for his inrushing teammates.
Germany's Mario Gotze became the first substitute to score the winner in a World Cup final
source
Messi had been bullying and he almost put Argentina ahead seconds just after the break, only to pull an ill finish across goal with his usual left foot. As the final entered the last 10 minutes, Tony Kroos had Germany's clearest opening for some time but he rather sent a sidefoot finish off target after Ozil had laid the ball appealing into his path. In no time it was extra-time, and while Rodrigo Palacio was clearly off target when he lofted a finish over Neuer.
Gotze's winning goal was the 32nd goal by a substitute at the tournament, a World Cup record
source
Germany's win was their fourth World Cup triumph - and the first since reunification in 1990
source
MATCH STATISTICS
| ARGENTINA | GERMANY | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goals | 0 |
| 5 | Shots on Targets | 0 |
| 3 | Shots off targets | 9 |
| 2 | Blocked Shots | 1 |
| 5 | Corners | 3 |
| 20 | Fouls | 16 |
| 3 | Offsides | 2 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 64 | Possession % | 36 |
Thanks to all for reading my post.