13 July 2014 · Rio de Janeiro
Germany 1 — 0 Argentina · after extra time
One chance from the summit.
Argentina returned to a World Cup final after 24 years and stood one goal from the title. The goal belonged to Germany.
Lionel Messi's generation arrived at its first World Cup final. In Brazil, an Argentina side built on balance and collective sacrifice carried the country back to the last match of the tournament.
The long way back
Messi supplied decisive goals in the group stage. The knockout rounds became tighter: Ángel Di María broke Switzerland in extra time, Gonzalo Higuaín beat Belgium, and Sergio Romero stopped two Dutch penalties in the semifinal.
Germany entered the final after defeating Brazil 7–1. Argentina did not allow the same freedom. Higuaín shot wide when presented with a first-half opening and later had a goal ruled out for offside. Messi dragged a shot beyond the far post after halftime. The chances were real and brief.
The 113th minute
With penalties approaching, André Schürrle crossed from the left. Mario Götze controlled the ball on his chest and volleyed across Romero. Argentina had seven minutes to answer and could not.
After Rio
The defeat began a sequence of three lost finals in three years. National frustration followed Messi despite his individual awards, and after the 2016 Copa América he briefly announced his international retirement.
Later victories changed how 2014 was remembered. The Maracanã became part of the distance travelled. A disciplined team had come within a single finish of the title.