2014 World Cup:The Talking POINTS

Eight biggest talking points from the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina 

SO, Germany is the 2014 World Cup champion after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the final. Here are the biggest talking points of the World Cup final.

1. THE BABY-FACED ASSASSIN
THE star was Mario Goetze – hardly one of the biggest names in football but now a national hero after scoring the winner in extra time to secure the World Cup for Germany.
The goal came in the 113th minute as the 22-year-old calmly chested down an Andre Schurrle cross and finished with precision.
It was by no means the easiest of chances.
2. MESSI’S WASTED CHANCE

ALL the talk had been about Lionel Messi’s shot to join the footballing legends, and this was one of those moments.In the opening minutes of the second half, the ball broke clear for the Argentina magician and he made his way into the box only to hit his shot across the front of goal.
It would prove a costly, costly miss.
Messi was later awarded Golden Ball as player of the tournament, but it will mean little to him now.
 3. HIGUAIN’S BUTCHERED EFFORT
IN the 21st minute, Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain had the best chance of the first half as a wayward German header landed perfectly for him in front of goal with just the keeper to beat.
Higuain took the shot early though, snatching at it first time from outside the area and hooked it wide. There was time to take a touch closer to goal.
4. HIGUAIN’S NON-GOAL CELEBRATION
HOW awkward. Higuain thought he had opened the scoring on 30 minutes with a tap-in from close range only to be correctly ruled offside.
His celebration lasted a good 10 seconds until he realised the flag had gone up.
5. KHEDIRA’S LATE SCRATCHING
STAR German midfielder Sami Khedira injured his calf in the warm-up, forcing him out of the line-up at the last minute and Cristoph Kramer in.
Khedira had been an ever-present for the Germans, a key man in the midfield.
Kramer had made just two appearances off the bench in the World Cup before being thrown into the fire today.
Kramer lasted just 30 minutes before going off injured himself, forcing Germany into another unwanted change.
6. NIL-NIL BUT BY NO MEANS BORING
IT was tense. It was entertaining. Both teams pushed forward, but were super organised and did not give their opponents an inch.
Neither team wanted it to go to penalties. But a goal simply was not forthcoming.
Until the 113th minute, that is.

. SHAKIRA’S SHAKING BOOTY
IF you missed the World Cup closing ceremony, don’t worry. This was easily the best part.
8. PITCH INVADER TRIES TO KISS GERMAN PLAYER
NBA superstar LeBron James captured footage as a pitch invader made his way onto the pitch, tried to kiss a German player and was ultimately crushed.