Germany coach Joachim Low hailed Mario Gotze
as the "miracle boy" after his extra-time strike
sealed a 1-0 win over Argentina in Sunday's
World Cup final.
Low also revealed he told Gotze to show the
world he was better than Lionel Messi minutes
before the substitute came on to score the
winner.
World Cup 2014: Germany
1-0 Argentina (aet)
highlights
Victory gave Germany a fourth World Cup title
and first for 24 years.
Gotze, 22, said: "It is an unbelievable feeling. You
score that goal and you don't really know what's
happening."
Gotze, who began the 2014 Fifa World Cup in
Germany's starting line-up, came on as an 88th-
minute substitute for Miroslav Klose in Sunday's
final.
With seven minutes of extra time remaining, the
Bayern Munich midfielder volleyed home with his
left foot after controlling Andre Schurrle's left-
wing cross on his chest.
"He is the wonder who can play in numerous
positions, he is the decider who can come on and
make a difference," said Low. "That is what he
did."
Gotze, who joined Bayern in a £31.5m deal from
Borussia Dortmund last summer, added: "It's
indescribable. The dream has become a reality. It
is absolutely sensational."
Despite being on the losing side in the final,
Messi was named as the tournament's best
player.
Coach Alejandro Sabella said the award was
"very deserved", adding: "He played a great World
Cup to get us where he did."
Germany counterpart Low, meanwhile, said
victory in Brazil was the result of a 10-year
project.
Germany were knocked out at the group stage of
Euro 2004 without winning a game but have since
reached three semi-finals and two finals at five
major championships.
Before Sunday they had not won a tournament
since tasting success in the 1996 European
Championships in England.
"We've made constant progress and believed in
the project," said the 54-year-old Low, who
became coach in 2006 after stepping up from his
role as assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann. "If any
group deserves it, it's this team."
0 comments:
Post a Comment