2014 FIFA World Cup Final: Player Ratings

Mario Gotze’s extra-time strike sealed a fourth FIFA World Cup win for Germany, here we rate the players from a tense final with Argentina.

Germany:

Manuel Neuer 6 – The tournament’s best goalkeeper was never tested as Argentina wasted a number of chances. However, he was lucky not to be punished after a robust challenge on Gonzalo Higuain in the second half.

Philipp Lahm 7 – A tireless worker at both ends of the field, few players deserved to be on the winning side more than the Germany captain.

Jerome Boateng 8 – A colossus at the back for Germany who pulled off an array of crucial tackles to help keep Argentina at bay.

Mats Hummels 7 – Struggled with the pace of Lionel Messi in the first half but improved markedly in the second to contribute to a solid defensive display from Germany.

Benedikt Howedes 7 – Almost opened the scoring with a header that crashed against the post just before half-time and was largely excellent in the left-back spot.

Thomas Muller 7 – Combined brilliantly with Lahm down the right-hand side on a number of occasions, providing Germany’s most consistent attacking threat, but was perhaps not at his usual talismanic best.

Christoph Kramer 6 – Included in the side shortly before kick-off due to injury to Sami Khedira, but lasted just half an hour before being brought off with head injury following a coming-together with Ezequiel Garay.

Bastian Schweinsteiger 8 – The heartbeat of the Germany engine room, Schweinsteiger ended the game bloodied and bruised. A fitting tribute to his brilliant showing.

Mesut Ozil 6 – Limited as a creative force in an ultimately quiet showing from the Arsenal playmaker.

Toni Kroos 6 – The highly coveted Bayern Munich star did not produce his best performance and was fortunate not to gift Argentina the opener when Higuain latched on to his poor backwards header.

Miroslav Klose 6 – The World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer was starved of service before being substituted late on and rarely looked like adding to his finals tally.

Andre Schurrle 7 – Was twice denied by fine saves from Romero, however, his performance proved pivotal as his excellent delivery was converted by Mario Gotze for the winner.

Mario Gotze 8 – Brought on for Klose and made the telling contribution, showing magnificent composure to control a left-wing cross from Schurrle and volley home.

Per Mertesacker 5 – Thrown into the fray in the dying stages of extra time but had little to do.

Argentina:

Sergio Romero 7 – Pulled off a number of strong saves from Schurrle, but was unable to keep out Gotze’s stunning volley.

Pablo Zabaleta 7 – Did not offer much of an attacking threat, but was excellent defensively throughout, regularly making key interventions.

Martin Demichelis 6 – Solid for much of the encounter but was caught out of position for Gotze’s winner. Did not manage to hit the heights of earlier in the tournament.

Ezequiel Garay 7 – Formed another strong partnership with Demichelis at the heart of a defence that looked unlikely to be broken down before the telling moment in extra time.

Marcos Rojo 6 – The left-back provided a sporadic attacking threat and was solid from a defensive standpoint for much of a tight encounter.

Enzo Perez 5 – A disappointing evening for the Benfica winger, who was unable to create anything of real note.

Javier Mascherano 7 – Mascherano’s strong World Cup ended with another combative and determined game in the middle of the park. He was unfortunate to be on the losing side.

Lucas Biglia 6 – The Lazio midfielder was one of the more composed players on the pitch, once again proving to be an effective buffer in front of the back four. Lionel Messi should have done better with his second-half throughball.

Ezequiel Lavezzi 6 – Caused Germany problems down the flanks before coach Alejandro Sabella’s surprising decision to take him off at half-time.

Lionel Messi 6 – The spotlight was on arguably the world’s best player but – while he proved to be Argentina’s main attacking threat – the Barcelona star could not deliver, although he did come agonisingly close to opening the scoring just after the break when dragging his shot wide.

Gonzalo Higuain 5 – Missed a glaring chance to open the scoring in the first half after pouncing on Kroos’ error. The Napoli striker also had an earlier strike ruled out for offside, which he was flagged for on a number of occasions.

Sergio Aguero 4 – Brought on for Lavezzi during the interval but failed to make any sort of impact as an attacking force. Fortunate not to be sent off after appearing to punch Schweinsteiger in extra time.

Rodrigo Palacio 5 – Spurned a glorious opportunity in the eighth minute of extra time, meeting Rojo’s cross with a lofted finish wide of the goal.

Fernando Gago 6 – Came on for Perez two minutes from the end of normal time in another change that did not have the desired impact.